BIOMED SETTING NEW GOALS LOCAL FIRMS LOOK FOR WAYS TO PROTECT U.S.Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer VALENCIA - With the nation suddenly attuned at·tune tr.v. at·tuned, at·tun·ing, at·tunes 1. To bring into a harmonious or responsive relationship: an industry that is not attuned to market demands. 2. to the threat of biological warfare biological warfare, employment in war of microorganisms to injure or destroy people, animals, or crops; also called germ or bacteriological warfare. Limited attempts have been made in the past to spread disease among the enemy; e.g. , local biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. companies are examining their options to help pitch in with a response. During a conference Tuesday on the future of the biomed industry, representatives of a handful of companies discussed the possibilities of adapting their technologies to combat biological agents. Although they traditionally focus on a host of scientific developments, from fighting allergies to pain management, the heightened awareness of threats in the air and water could fuel future business growth. ``We have our key people looking at it this week,'' said Al Mann, chairman of broad-based MannKind Corp. ``We want to see if there's anything we can do with anthrax anthrax (ăn`thrăks), acute infectious disease of animals that can be secondarily transmitted to humans. It is caused by a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis and smallpox. We don't want to take away from our main focus, but we'll evaluate what we can do.'' According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Jack Kyser, chief economist The Chief Economist is a single position job class having primary responsibility for the development, coordination, and production of economic and financial analysis. It is distinguished from the other economist positions by the broader scope of responsibility encompassing the for the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Economic Development Corp., the current focus could prove to be a boon for local firms already experienced in the biomed world. ``For the whole biomed industry, what is going on presents some interesting opportunities,'' he said. ``Many companies are busy in their R&D facilities right now.'' This bodes well for the local scene, as nearly 2,100 bioscience firms call Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, home, according to figures provided by conference organizers. If interest continues, it could spur a sectorwide rally, touching not only tech-oriented firms like MannKind, but also pharmaceutical and research efforts. ``This could prove to be very good for both for people who manufacture drugs and medical equipment,'' Kyser said. ``Some of the tech operations could benefit, because you want simple test systems to alert people - both chemical reactions and medical instruments. Also, you have to come up with remediation packages for people who fear they've been infected and want to find out quickly at home.'' Even for companies like AlleCure, a Valencia-based subsidiary of MannKind that develops vaccination systems, the sudden interest in the biomed world will likely translate into better recognition. The company is weighing options to modify its products for a potential smallpox vaccination delivery, said its president, Stephen McCormack. ``It will aid the biomed industry by heightening awareness of the technologies available,'' McCormack said prior to the conference. ``We're going to continue forward with our business plan, but we're looking to aid in this national time of crisis.'' |
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