With several markets ready for its advanced crystal-based biological and chemical sensor technology, Hanson Technologies, Inc. is facing the toughest decision every startup would love to face: Which market should they pursue first?
The two-year old Carlisle-based company is at an important crossroads, with interest in its technology percolating from a wide array of markets — from food safety to homeland security. Hanson is developing an integrated biological and chemical sensor from patent-accepted technology and licensed technology developed by the U.S. government.
An Infusion of Cash
and Assistance
In June, BFTP invested $130,000 in Hanson, bringing the total investment by BFTP to $250,000 in the last year. The latest funds will largely be used to support a marketing research initiative that will help the company prioritize which markets to pursue. Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania (LSGPA) has also invested $350,000 in Hanson Technologies to help bring product to market.
 "We have a disruptive technology that can change the industry and a lot of people are interested," says CEO Bill Hanson. "We are doing rapid detection screening for bio pathogens, toxins and proteins in a very cost-effective way. A significant reason for us to do market research is that we have simply too many choices."
As Fears of Mad Cow Disease Rise, So Does Interest in Hanson
The company is working on detector sensors for the food pathogen and toxin market, including the next generation diagnostic equipment for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) — commonly know as "Mad Cow" disease. Hanson has successfully demonstrated biological detection of BSE prion surrogate. A prion is an infectious form of a naturally occurring protein.
"BFTP is critical to this process by not only helping fund our market research, but by being there when the data comes in to help us really analyze it, turn it upside down and make some very informed, strategic decisions," says Bill Hanson, CEO. "From BFTP, we get 50% support beyond the dollars — and this frees up dollars we can pump back into R&D so we can bring our products to market faster."
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"There is a growing sentiment among consumers and health officials that the United States should test as many cattle as possible to allow unfettered access to export markets. That transition can only occur when the next generation of BSE diagnostic equipment, like what we are developing, is introduced," Hanson says.
Hanson classifies BSE as a "thrust area" for the company and says they are working on detection in human and animal blood, both in the field and in the lab, but said it is not the company's primary focus. "The marketing research will help clarify what we are doing," he says. "We are being very open-minded about where we are going."
Homeland Security and Military Applications
When people hear of biological and chemical sensing, thoughts turn to military and terrorist applications — sensing biological and chemical agents in the air. Hanson says his company is looking seriously at that market.
"We are developing technology that people want and we have the confidence to pull off a military application of that technology," Hanson says. "There are strong indications that we are getting pulled into the military market. With BFTP's assistance, we will clear some final technical hurdles and conduct the marketing research to help us really focus our efforts."
From the September/October 2005 issue
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