Alpha Gamma Technologies is a Raleigh based firm currently using a Phase II SBIR award from the Department of Defense to develop tools for the Army to detect biological threats.

The project is centered around an analysis tool for identifying exposure to biological agents through analysis of gene expression data, called bioCAT^TM. This product specifically fills a niche in low concentration biological agent detection. While traditional methods have trouble detecting low level biological agents and mutations on known compounds, bioCAT^TM is used to detect the gene expression responses of the host. This ability is vital in early detection and treatment of the affects of a biological attack. The original concept was successfully demonstrated under a Phase I SBIR grant, and under a recently procured Phase II grant Alpha Gamma Technologies hopes to create a commercially viable product for civilian use.

Alpha Gamma Technologies began in 1990 as a research and consulting technical services company with fifty (mostly IT) employees. Alpha Gamma's focus through the 90's was on environmental consulting, but in 2002 they started making a move towards life science. In the 90's Reese Howle was aware of the SBIR program and was interested in it but did not have the time to check the listings or draft proposals. It was not until 2000 that he was able to take a serious look at the program. He submitted two proposals and was denied both before going to a national SBIR conference at the NC Biotech Center hosted by the UNC-SBTDC. Afterwards he put together a more serious effort in January of 2004 for the bioCAT^TM project.

Alpha Gamma Technologies now sees the SBIR program and the help of the SBTDC a valuable source of funding and information. Since their success with the bioCAT^TM project Alpha Gamma has put in three proposals that, even though they weren't accepted, came back with suggestions and are being prepped for re-submission. Also they continue to send at least one employee to local SBIR events hosted by the SBTDC and find them critical in understanding the program and helping them use it more effectively.

Reese Howle, the president and co-founder of Alpha Gamma Technologies recognizes the potential that the SBIR program presents for his company. Presently he is making sure that all of the government entities are being aggressively tracked in hopes of finding an application for one of their new technologies. Focusing on the NIH, he hopes to use the SBIR program to gain the funding the project needs to test its viability. At the moment, Alpha Gamma Technologies is planning to consistently apply for three SBIR grants every year and attend as many events as possible.