Company honored in HazMAT/WMD category for TruDefender FT, its newest handheld chemical identification product

WILMINGTON, Mass. – December 2, 2008 – Ahura Scientific, Inc., a leader in rugged, ultra-compact handheld instruments for chemical identification, today announced that it was recognized with a Cygnus Law Enforcement Group Innovation Award in the HazMAT/WMD category for its most recent product, TruDefender™ FT. Based on Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, TruDefender FT is a handheld system designed to identify unknown chemicals directly in the hotzone. Built for first responders, the instrument weighs less than 3 pounds and is rugged enough to withstand the rigors of field use. TruDefender FT complements Ahura Scientific’s flagship FirstDefender®, a Raman-based instrument, to maximize in-the-field coverage of a broad range of unknown chemicals. FirstDefender received the 2006 Cygnus Innovation Award in the HazMAT category.

The 2008 Cygnus Innovation Awards presentation was held November 9, 2008, in San Diego in conjunction with the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Innovation Awards recognize new products and services introduced to the law enforcement market during the previous year and celebrate the technological innovations designed to help officers in every facet of their jobs. Manufacturers submit their newest and most inventive products for evaluation from a panel of independent judges of law enforcement professionals.

The entries were judged on their innovativeness, productivity, quality, contribution, ease-of-use and maintainability, and there were 15 categories of entries: Communications; Computers; Corrections & Security; Firearms; Firearms Accessories; Forensics; Hazmat/WMD; Less-lethal; Software; Surveillance; Tactical; Traffic Enforcement; Training; Uniforms & Body Armor; and Vehicles & Vehicle Accessories. The Cygnus Law Enforcement Group is comprised of the properties of Cygnus Business Media dedicated to law enforcement, which include Law Enforcement Technology and Law Enforcement Product News magazines, Officer.com, and Enforcement Expo.

“We are honored to be recognized for our innovative products that help make law officers’ jobs more efficient, effective and safe,” said Doug Kahn, Ahura Scientific’s chairman and CEO. “Receiving this award for the second time confirms that our product roadmap is on point and continues to meet the needs of our expanding base of customers.”

Since 2002, Ahura Scientific has designed, developed and successfully launched products unlike any in the marketplace, putting the power, reliability and accuracy of expensive, lab-based instruments in portable, rugged, easy-to-use systems designed for field use. Research shows that a fundamental need exists within the safety and security market for handheld analytical instruments that can detect and identify unknown chemical substances quickly and precisely at the point of use. By meeting this requirement, TruDefender FT and FirstDefender help save lives, prevent major economic and public disruptions, and aid in resolving emergencies.

Ahura Scientific and its executives have received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ernst and Young 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year award (Founder and President Dr. Daryoosh Vakhshoori); R&D Magazine’s R&D 100; the Industrial Design Society of America Award (IDEA) for Excellence in Industrial Design; the 2007 SBANE Innovation Award; the Boston Business Journal’s 2008 Best Places to Work Award; the 2008 American Business Award for “Most Innovative Company;” and the company was named number 65 on Inc. magazine’s Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies of 2008.