Astrotech's (Nasdaq: ASTC) 1st Detect Awarded U.S. Patent For Novel Pre-Concentration Technology

AUSTIN, Texas, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 1^st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation ASTC, announced today that the United States Patent Office ("USPTO") has allowed the issuance of a key patent for improving the sensitivity and identification capability of the company's unique ion trap mass spectrometer used for chemical analysis and detection.

"We are extremely pleased that the USPTO has allowed this patent, strengthening our extensive intellectual property portfolio and further defining 1^st Detect as the leader in detecting and identifying trace chemicals down to parts per trillion," said Thomas B Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of 1^st Detect. "Applications for this patent span all of our target markets from airports and military to the factory floors of semiconductor foundries, petrochemical plants and industrial food processors."

U.S. Patent No. 8,784,737, entitled, 'Introducing an Analyte into a Chemical Analyzer' is a key technological advantage for 1^st Detect that can  perform chemical separation and improve the sensitivity of portable small mass spectrometers, a key advantage over competitor's slow, bulky and expensive GC-MS solutions. 

"This patent protects our ability to offer small and affordable chemical analysis that is able to  identify a wide range of chemicals with better sensitivity and speed than competing solutions," added David Rafferty, the inventor of the novel technology and President and CTO of 1^st Detect.

1^st Detect Corporation has developed an instrument that revolutionizes the chemical detection and analysis market by delivering lab performance mass spectrometry in a small, affordable and easily portable package. The 1^st Detect mass spectrometer is capable of detecting a wide range of chemicals including residues and vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food and beverage contaminants, and pollutants.  These abilities make it an ideal tool for a variety of applications in the research, security, industrial, process flow and healthcare markets.

About 1^st Detect Corporation
1^st Detect Corporation was formed by Astrotech Corporation ASTC to develop and commercialize miniature mass spectrometer technology first developed under an agreement with NASA for use on the International Space Station. 1^st Detect offers a breakthrough miniaturized mass spectrometer that fills an unmet need by being highly accurate, rapid, lightweight, and cost-effective. For more information on 1^st Detect Corporation, please visit www.1stDetect.com.

About Astrotech Corporation
Astrotech is one of the first space commerce companies and remains a strong entrepreneurial force in the aerospace industry. We are leaders in identifying, developing and marketing space technology for commercial use. Our Astrotech Space Operations business unit serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with pre-launch services on the eastern and western range. 1^st Detect Corporation has developed a breakthrough miniature mass spectrometer, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, continued government support and funding for key space programs, product performance and market acceptance of products and services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations described in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Joshua Elbaum
VP, Marketing
+1 (512) 485-9530
jelbaum@1stdetect.com

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SOURCE Astrotech Corporation