In 2002 the Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology saw success on all fronts. From the identification and awarding of a number of technologies, to the acquiring of additional funds from the Department of Defense, it was a year of defining and achieving objectives for CCAT.

With more than 160 applicants in 2002, CCAT had the challenging job of identifying products that would aid in homeland security while possessing dual applications in both the defense and commercial marketplaces. In all, 26 technologies were chosen and awarded various services and or grants.

The winners represented a wide range of innovative technologies in the fields of bio-medicine, bio-chemistry, electronics, computer software and hardware. They included weapon detectors, bio-warfare testers and vaccines, information systems and more. Practically every niche of crisis and consequence management was addressed. The diversity of the submitted technologies was proof of San Diego's vast and capable supply of high technology companies and reaffirmed CCAT's purpose.

Among the submitted technologies, the issue of bio-warfare was a reoccurring concern. With the tragic terrorist events in 2001, the threat of bio-warfare agents such as anthrax and similar chemical weapons was brought to the nation's attention. Now more than ever technologies, that aid first responders in the rapid detection and vaccination of such agents is imperative. San Diego companies accepted the challenge and came forth with a number of applicable products.

CCAT identified and awarded a number of such technologies this year, including:

Bio-Quant is currently applying their CCAT award to the development of the first 1-hour blood multiplex anthrax testing kit. The company is planning to use its technology to develop multiplex testing kits for plague, small pox and other potential bio-terrorist agents.

Intecon Systems, Inc. is developing a technology for rapid biological decontamination of biological agents in buildings and other places of concern. The company's mission is to become the market leader in the removal of both airborne and surface contaminants.

Plexus Vaccine, Inc. is working on a technology that is capable of creating vaccines for toxins more quickly and with less risk than any other technology in common use. The company's mission is to rapidly deliver robust protection from serious disease, including drug-resistant pathogens and bio-warfare agents, by using its enabling technology to develop novel vaccine products to protect human health and food supply.

Professor Michael Sailor from The University of California, San Diego Dept. of Chem/Biochem is using the CCAT award in his development of a low cost, wireless sensor for detection of chemical warfare agents in populated areas. Sailor's goal is to make the detectors so cheap they will be virtually disposable and can be easily distributed.

Xenerex Biosciences is using the CCAT award to fund the initial development of a treatment that is intended to reduce the effects of anthrax exposure. The potential product may be capable of neutralizing anthrax toxins and provide rapid treatment to individuals who have been exposed to anthrax toxins or who suspect they have been exposed. Xenerex hopes the results of this research may also be an avenue for additional funding for product development.

CCAT is proud to provide support to those companies whose technologies will soon prove vital in homeland security efforts. From those that combat bio-warfare, to information systems that deter possible threats, the products of the CCAT awarded companies are outstanding. CCAT is looking forward to 2003 with expansion into San Bernardino County as well as Hawaii. CCAT Director, Lou Kelly's letter below further addresses the exciting future of CCAT.

Dear Readers,

While the events and progress of the past year have been very exciting, as the old saying goes, the best is yet to come. I know that I can speak for the entire CCAT Executive Board when I say that CCAT has had a much larger impact on the creation of new, critical technologies than any of us expected as we began this regional partnership in late 2001. The response from the San Diego region has been extremely positive, and has grown with every solicitation that we have run. Discussions with our clients as well as local, state, regional and federal government agencies have provided us insight as to the cause of this positive response.

First, CCAT provides a unique approach for creating a regional collaboration of existing organizations and their capabilities. In the San Diego region, we now have two major universities, local, state and federal government agencies, industry and the investment community all working together towards a common goal with an established process.

Second, CCAT has devoted much of its resources and energy towards development of critical products needed for Homeland Security. Although there is a large federal budget that will ultimately come to bear on Homeland Security requirements, CCAT has been investing since September 11, 2001, in these technologies.

Third, while CCAT provides R&D and product development grants to its selected clients, its greatest value has been the considerable mentoring and business services that are provided to assist a promising start-up company or scientist ultimately to bring their product to the market. This part of CCAT is closely tied to and supported by the investment community.

Given this strong support for CCAT's regional collaborative approach, we have begun to expand its approach into other regions. The first new region is San Bernardino/Riverside County in California. I am proud to say that this new region is already proceeding with several very exciting technology investments. The next new region is likely to be Hawaii. While discussions are still underway, Hawaii appears to be a very attractive area given its considerable existing organizations and programs that could benefit by this new collaborative approach.

In addition to the regional expansions of CCAT, we also hope to achieve three important objectives in 2003:
1. Improved the quality, quantity and cost effectiveness of CCAT Services
2. Establish a formal business relationship with several Venture Capital firms
3. Establish a more formal tie to DoD program managers seeking new critical technologies

2003 is already shaping up to be an exciting and successful year. We look forward to developing additional relationships and achieving even larger success in the year ahead.

Sincerely.
CCAT Board

Bio-Quant
Has successfully created the proposed Anthrax diagnostic kit and acquired numerous contracts including an agreement with Biophage, Inc., Montreal, Canada for exclusive distribution rights in Canada.

Applied Gene Technologies, Inc. (AGTI)
Has designed, screened and successfully tested several nucleic acid probes that are specific for the detection a causative agent for Anthrax. AGTI is dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and marketing novel nucleic acid-based products for detection of infectious pathogens including bioterrorism agents.

Xenerex Biosciences
Has developed an early-stage experimental drug that treats exposure to anthrax. The companies human monoclonal antibody candidate could provide immediate immunity to those exposed. With the announcement of this technology Xenerex's parent company, Avanir, saw their stock rise by 87 percent.

Quantum Magnetics
Developed the weapons detector i-Portal and has been awarded a $1 Million grant from TSA for further development projects. They have also received several orders for the weapons detector from the following: the FAA, the UK's Department of Transport, and the government of Bahrain.

DigiVision Inc.
Has completed their PixonVision prototype board and acquired a number of contracts with the military, government labs and defense contractors.





CCAT Solicitation opens April 15, 2003
Open to Government, Industry, and Academia.
click here for an application

Tentative CCAT Solicitation opens July, 2003

Tentative CCAT Solicitation opens October, 2003





CCAT - supported by Congress and funded by the Department of Defense - is a public-private collaborative partnership between academia, industry, and government. Partners include San Diego State University (SDSU) Foundation and Entrepreneurial Management Center, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Jacobs School of Engineering and UCSD CONNECT, and ORINCON Technologies, Inc. with support from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego. The consortium-style CCAT intends to bridge the gap that exists between the generators of technology, the Department of Defense and the commercial marketplace.