Tag: technology

Tennessee company holds the keys to improved port security

Posted by Shane Rhyne – March 9, 2010

Knoxville, TN (March 9, 2010) – More than $12 trillion in merchandise is shipped annually using approximately 200 million intermodal containers, according to a recent cargo security study. Merchandise shipped via these containers includes items of high street value including cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, computers and other high tech devices, consumer electronics, and more. However, each year, approximately $50 billion worth of merchandise in these containers is lost to theft, fraud, and vandalism. In the end, the costs of theft and inefficiencies, along with the potential costs of security risks are passed along to the consumer.

Far away from the busy seaports, however, a company in Tennessee is hard at work developing a high tech solution that will free businesses from having to choose between cargo shipping efficiency and homeland security. The company, TrakLok Corporation, has developed the GeoLok™, a locking system for containers that not only monitors the container’s location as it travels, but also can refuse to open itself until the container has arrived safely at its intended destination. It is a seemingly simple idea, yet one that has the potential to impact 90% of all global trade.

Knoxville-based TrakLok Corporation announced today it has been received venture funding from Innova Memphis as part of the Tennessee Investment Company Credit Act (TNInvestco) in order to expand its efforts to bring its innovative tracking and security system to market at a time of increased attention to the importance of port security.  The funding will allow the company to continue set-up of its manufacturing process and to make critical sales and marketing hires. “We have been watching TrakLok since the Tennessee Innovation Conference organized by TTDC in late 2008. Since then, the company has made enormous progress on a very tight budget – we like companies that know how to stretch a dollar.” says Jan Bouten, Partner at Innova Memphis. “The company’s portable GeoLok brings an unprecedented level of visibility and security to the logistics industry and can save manufacturers and shipping companies billions per year.”

Formed in 2008, TrakLok has developed a series of patents to create an electronic lock system to combat theft, smuggling, and vandalism to the millions of cargo containers arriving at ports and rail yards throughout the world. The locks can deny or allow entry to a protected container based on a combination of time, location, and authorization codes.

The high-tech lock system also allows companies to track and locate containers, improving efficiency and reducing losses related to spoilage, misplaced containers, and related shipping delays.

“This award represents the important role TrakLok can play in improving homeland security at our nation’s shipping ports and improving business efficiency at the same time,” said Eric Dobson, TrakLok CEO and co-developer of the TrakLok concept. “Innova Memphis singled our business out for this funding because of the strength of our management team and the viability of our product in the marketplace.  We are thrilled to become the first TNInvestment.”

Eligible businesses for funding through the TNInvestco pool must be independently owned and operated Tennessee-based businesses with at least 60% of the company workforce located in the state. The funds are targeted to Tennessee businesses developing transformational technology.

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Media Contact
Shane Rhyne, Ackermann PR
(865) 584-0550

About TrakLok Corporation

TrakLok Corporation’s mission is to commercialize products and services into the global shipping industry to revolutionize both cargo security and efficiency in order to return value to its shareholders. The company offers products that provide physical security and global visibility for highly mobile cargo and containers. Using physical security technologies, wireless communications, and wireless sensor networking, the GeoLok™ and TrakLog™ solution provides lock-tight security with total asset visibility for high value and high interest shipments throughout the world. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. For additional information about TrakLok and its products, visit online at http://www.traklok.com

About Innova Memphis

Innova is a pre-seed, seed and early-stage investor focused on starting and funding high-growth companies in the biosciences, technology and agbio fields across the state of Tennessee. Through its relationship with the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Innova provides entrepreneurs with access to incubator facilities, training and mentoring, industry networks and seasoned executives. For more information, visit www.innovamemphis.com.

Researchers announce medical breakthrough with simple, inexpensive blood test for colon cancer

Posted by Shane Rhyne – December 15, 2009

Knoxville, Tenn. (December 15, 2009) – Medical researchers with EDP Biotech Corporation (EDP) have captured national attention with their revolutionary new technology for a simple blood test to detect early-stage colon cancer.

Following the success of its pre-clinical trials for the ColoMarker™ assay, EDP has filed a patent on the biomarker, CA11-19, and all aspects of its use.  Via an inexpensive blood test, ColoMarker™ will detect colon cancer in its earliest, most curable stages.

“American Cancer Society statistics show that when colon cancer is detected in its early stages, more than 90% of patients will survive.  If not detected until the later stages, fewer than 10% will survive.  ColoMarker™ detects colon cancer in these early, highly curable stages,” says Kevin Jones, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of EDP.

According to American Cancer Society statistics, fewer than 20% of Americans over the age of 50 who should be screened for colon cancer, actually are.  With the use of ColoMarker™, a simple and inexpensive blood test, the number of people being screened would likely increase dramatically, leading to a decline in deaths due to colon cancer.

In pre-clinical trials, ColoMarker™ successfully detected the early stages (I, II, and III) of colon cancer.  In tests of 2,370 blood samples, ColoMarker™ showed an accuracy rate of >99% for detecting colon cancer in these early stages. “ColoMarker™ could lead to a radical shift in the way we detect colon cancer,” adds Dr. Jones.

National researchers who study colorectal cancer are closely monitoring emerging technologies such as ColoMarker™.  Their findings are encouraging; just last week, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries released an optimistic report about the expected decline in deaths from colon cancer due to anticipated improvements in early screening methods.

Dr. Jones states, “The use of ColoMarker™ as a screening test could save tens of thousands of American lives every year and billions of dollars in healthcare costs.”  EDP Biotech is now moving forward expeditiously to get ColoMarker™ through the Food and Drug Administration clearance process.

For more information on ColoMarker™ or EDP Biotech Corporation, contact Jeff Hooper, Ackermann PR, and (865) 584-0550.

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Media Contact

Jeff Hooper, Ackermann PR
jhooper@ackermannpr.com
(865) 584-0550

About EDP Biotech Corporation
EDP Biotech Corporation (EDP) is a medical device company focused on the development and sale of immunodiagnostic tests for both humans and animals. EDP utilizes more than 30 years of research and development in identification and purification of proteins present in the early stages of biological changes for production of in vitro diagnostic tests whose primary target is Early Detection Products.

PACS Imaging Technology Arrives at East Tennessee Medical Group

Posted by Lisa Hood Skinner – July 16, 2009

ALCOA, Tenn. – East Tennessee Medical Group (ETMG) has installed  the AVREO Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) at its facility at 266 Joule St., Alcoa, to more efficiently provide patients with cutting-edge imaging and digital technology.

PACS retrieves, distributes and stores medical images on computer networks to replace hard copies. Ron German, CEO of ETMG, said PACS is an “important asset to ETMG because the technological advances will ultimately improve our patients’ experience and quality of medical care. PACS offers a clear advantage to ETMG through its ability to improve workflow, reduce time and costs, and equip physicians with an easily-accessible way to view images.”

“I am proud that ETMG is the first and only multi-specialty physician group in the greater Knoxville area to purchase this state-of-the art imaging system. Our patients will clearly benefit through the efficiencies this system brings us,” he said.

                 The system provides:

  • Physician accessibility of images from anywhere
  • Confidentiality and safety of studies
  • Access to all historical studies
  • Greater staff efficiency
  • Appointment duration is reduced

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, East Tennessee Medical Group, 266 Joule Street, Alcoa, is Blount County’s most comprehensive physicians’ organization, with more than 50 physicians and allied health professionals, supported by state of the art technology and staff. ETMG was voted the #1 healthcare facility in Blount County in the 2009 Maryville Daily Times Readers’ Choice Awards. ETMG also is the recipient of the 2008 TECHMED award for its use of innovative electronic medical records and patient care technology and voted the Best Healthcare Facility in Blount County by The Daily Times Readers Choice Awards. For more information, call 984-ETMG or visit its website at www.etmg.net.

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