1. When was Toxin Alert founded?
Bill Bodenhamer, the company's president and CEO, founded Toxin Alert in September 1998.

2. What products and services does Toxin Alert offer?
Toxin Alert has developed a unique and patented antibody-based immunoassay for use as a diagnostic medium. Toxin Guard™ is a patented diagnostic system that attaches a thin layer of antibodies to flexible polymer packaging films and provides a visual signal on the film to indicate bacterial contamination or genetic modification. Toxin Alert also has developed the reagents that are necessary for these tests and the company plans to sell these in conjunction with Toxin Guard™ licences.

In addition, the company has produced, extracted, purified, and tested antibodies expressed in plants. Through a unique joint undertaking by Toxin Alert and the University of Guelph, these 'plantibodies' are antibody proteins grown in tobacco plants for use in...

[Please see our product page for more information.]

3. What are the company's competitive advantages?
Toxin Alert has a number of advantages that position it well in the competitive biotechnology industry:

Unique, flexible, and patented science has multiple target applications
Strong partnerships deliver scientific expertise, discovery sharing, and advanced product development cycle
Attractive commercial proposition includes reliable performance, longevity, and affordability in mass markets
High demand in significant untapped consumer market with potential for rapid penetration

4. What is the status of the Pactiv Corporation and Associated Brands agreements?
Toxin Alert concluded non-binding letters of intent (LOIs) that contemplate the joint development and licensed marketing of a Toxin Guard™ product with these companies. Toxin Alert's management team continues to negotiate the terms of these deals and explore other potential joint venture partners to commercialize Toxin Guard™.

These agreements would protect Toxin Alert's intellectual property and provide for the sharing of discoveries made in a joint venture. The Pactiv LOI was concluded in September 2001 and the Associated Brands LOI in November 2001.

5. Who are Toxin Alert's research partners?
The University of Guelph and SYN-X Pharma are the company's two major partners, who have provided access to extensive research facilities and highly qualified personnel. Toxin Alert's grants enabled the University of Guelph to develop 'plantibodies' in tobacco and other plants.
Toxin Alert also has research affiliations and collaborations with:

6. Who are the members of the company's board of directors?
The board consists of seven directors who are elected annually by shareholders to supervise management of the company's business and affairs. These directors are:

Dan Andersen
Bill Bodenhamer (CEO)
A. Michael Espy (Chairman)
George Jackowski
F. Ross Johnson (Vice-Chairman)
Neal Schachtel
Stephen N. Adams

7. How many employees work at Toxin Alert?
6 are employed in research and development and 3 are in management and business development and adminisration. Toxin Alert is a virtual company that maintains control over its intellectual property and patented products, while partnering with research organizations and outsourcing production and marketing functions.