Detection tech business wins contract to help fight bioterrorism

Huddersfield-based Kromek, which develops radiation and bio-detection technology, has won a $5.9m/£4.9m contract from the US Department of Homeland Security.

The contract has been awarded by the department’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office and is for the research and development of technologies focusing on a bio-detection system.

The contract has been awarded under a four-year programme, which starts immediately, and Kromek says it expects to receive $874,000/£724,000 during the first year base period.

Arnab Basu, CEO, said: “It is our first biosecurity contract from the Department of Homeland Security and underscores our belief that there are significant market opportunities in this area, as our technologies align well with government biosecurity strategies.

“This programme directly addresses a CWMD office priority focused on the detection, classification and identification of bioterrorism attacks.

“Biological threats are an increasing priority for governments, particularly in light of the pandemic.

“The output of the programme is aimed at providing increased capability to detect and identify biological threats in response to the operational needs of the Department of Homeland Security and will be an important step in making the world safer from the threat of bioterrorism and other biological threats.”