Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[btgman] 20/1/2021 08:33

Apologies if this has been covered but are there testing contacts due from Public Health England around this time. It will be interesting to see how EKF fair in these directly and indirectly AIMHO GLA BTG

[wan] 18/1/2021 08:25

Food for thought - Recall that EKF have exclusive rights to market and distribute COVID-SeroKlir, Kantaro's quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test kit in the UK and Germany and non-exclusive rights in Europe. It is 'perhaps' notable then that Source BioScience has laboratories located in the UK, Ireland, and Germany.

[wan] 18/1/2021 08:13

From my perspective/thoughts, there is a particular point of interest that stands out 'beyond' the more obvious in the Source Bio RNS - "Following recent announcements, the Company continues to explore further COVID-19 testing service capabilities and expand technology platforms and expects the strength of COVID-19 related revenues to counteract any impact on the Cellular Pathology business." First point is, that we already know that EKF's core business has materially recovered. But it is the expansion of COVID-19 testing service 'capabilities' (beyond but still including PCR testing) and expansion of technology platforms, that is and has been something that's firmly on my radar. The first obvious one is antibody testing, and another is antigen testing capabilities enabled by Longhorns ATM product.

[wan] 18/1/2021 07:15

For clarity - EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM quoted point-of-care business, previously announced that it has signed an agreement with Source BioScience UK Ltd (“Source BioScience”), which provides Laboratory testing services for the NHS, to supply PrimeStore MTM, a novel patented sample collection device, to be used for its growing COVID-19 testing service.

[wan] 18/1/2021 07:07

I note the following excerpt from Source Bio's RNS this morning - In addition, trading has started strongly in 2021. Whilst the Company still awaits a potential formal award under Public Health England's National Microbiology Framework in relation to further COVID-19 testing services, the Company is pleased to announce that it has signed a surge capacity agreement with the Department of Health and Social Care ("DHSC") for the supply of COVID-19 antigen RT-PCR testing services using the Company's laboratory facility in Nottingham (the "Agreement"). Under the Agreement, SourceBio has been supplying testing services since mid-December, and could potentially process up to a maximum of 4,000 RT-PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 Virus a day. This surge capacity agreement, which has a maximum value of GBP7.6 million, expires on 13 February 2021 and may be extended for a further three months. SourceBio has already processed over 400,000 COVID-19 antigen RT-PCR tests for the DHSC and the NHS. As the country has entered a third national lockdown and the severity of the COVID-19 landscape continues to cause delays in elective surgeries, the Company is anticipating reduced demand for its Cellular Pathology testing services into the new year and until the COVID-19 pandemic is under more control. Following recent announcements, the Company continues to explore further COVID-19 testing service capabilities and expand technology platforms and expects the strength of COVID-19 related revenues to counteract any impact on the Cellular Pathology business. Therefore, the Board's expectation for continued significant earnings growth for 2021 across the Group as a whole remains unchanged. Full release - hTTps://uk.advfn.com/stock-market/london/sourcebio-SBI/share-news/SourceBio-International-PLC-Trading-Update/84109263

[tongosti] 18/1/2021 06:32

Someone's research is late this morning - what's going on?

[wan] 17/1/2021 07:12

We already know that many test samples are collected and typically transported via cold chain logistics to Laborataories and treated as biohazardous and potentially infectious. Therefore, there is considerable expense and risk of infection associated with the collection and transport of clinical specimens to reference laboratories. But not when using PrimeStore MTM, for which the attributes are inactivation and preservation with no cold chain required, and has been optimised for downstream DNA sequencing and biobanking (storing samples for research). Test, test, test..........sequencing, sequencing, sequencing ........unfortunately, surveillance testing will probably be required forever, just like flu. For an encouraging, but also sobering read - Attack of the mutants: how Britain plans to conquer the new Covid variants Britain's strategic defence against pandemic pathogens is being built in a field in Oxfordshire – but it will not be ready for a year By Paul Nuki, GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY EDITOR, LONDON ; Jennifer Rigby and Bill Gardner 16 January 2021 But this doesn’t mean we should rest on our laurels, said Prof Altmann: “There are new mutations all the time, but occasionally one will throw up a nasty variant. This will come back to bite us if we don’t address it.” The Oxford AstraZeneca team are already working on new vaccines should they be needed. “The University of Oxford and labs across the world are carefully assessing the impact of new variants on vaccine effectiveness, and starting the processes needed for rapid development of adjusted Covid-19 vaccines if these should be necessary”, an AstraZeneca spokesperson told The Telegraph. However, for flu there are “sentinel” labs across the globe dedicated to constantly tracking new strains of that virus. For SARS-CoV-2, in contrast, global surveillance is in its infancy and much more limited as a result. Scientists say a “cat and mouse” game lies ahead, as vaccine producers scramble to keep up with the mutating virus. Unless we can up our surveillance game quickly and see the virus changing before it hits, it’s a game we are at risk of playing blind, say experts. Full story - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/attack-mutants-britain-plans-conquer-new-covid-variants/

[wan] 17/1/2021 04:40

EKF and Renalytix tipped again in the Mail - MIDAS SHARE TIPS: Are you seeking fat profits from your investments? Then cash in on the obesity war and you'll be gladly gaining POUNDS! hTTps://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/investing/article-9154511/MIDAS-SHARE-TIPS-Gain-pounds-obesity-war.html

[wan] 16/1/2021 09:16

The indication from Hastings CEO interview and update reveals that EKF is close to providing a full service in relation to the antibody test. I have been monitoring what the UK government has been tendering and indeed awarding labs capable of offering such serology testing services, and as I previously highlighted, these contracts are substantial! So demand is there and building, and it is looking increasingly like it will become a very large sustainable opportunity. In this regard, it will thus be interesting to see if EKF offer a full laboratory antibody testing service, and whether this will be limited to just their laboratory in the UK.

[wan] 16/1/2021 05:44

Even though EKF sold some of their Renalytix shares to certain institutions (and I am sure those institutions are very grateful given Renalytix performance since), the fact that EKF were shareholders on the register as at close of business on 9 July 2020 (“Relevant Renalytix Shareholders“) EKF will receive one A Share in Verici (“Distribution Shares”) for every 1 ordinary share held in the Company. So in the fullness of time, EKF are due 2,677,981 Verici shares, which have been doing quite well of late and thus EKF's Verici holding is currently valued at around £2m.

[wan] 16/1/2021 05:02

EKF gets mentioned in an Funds and Investment Trust article - Buffettology and the road ahead Keith Ashworth-Lord talks about the fund's process and addresses concerns about its size Buffettology is not the only fund in the Sanford DeLand Asset Management roster. CFP SDL Free Spirit (GB00BYYQC271), which launched in 2017, has an emphasis on small and mid-cap stocks, although it does hold some bigger names such as Unilever (ULVR). Like Buffettology, the Free Spirit fund tends to stick with strong performers, including pandemic winners EKF Diagnostics (EKF) and Tristel (TSTL). hTTps://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/news/2021/01/06/buffettology-and-the-road-ahead/

[petewy] 15/1/2021 16:12

Read it too.. OK HAst

[hastings] 15/1/2021 15:28

Cheers Wan, welcome and appreciated.

[wan] 15/1/2021 15:25

Thank you for the excellent update Hastings, it's very much appreciated.

[hastings] 15/1/2021 12:15

Caught up with the CEO again this morning, write up for interest. Https://martinflitton1.wixsite.com/privatepunter/post/ekf-a-healthy-investment-15-01-21

[btgman] 14/1/2021 14:22

Cash position was flagged up as being over £21m at 31.12.20 I actually have a view it will be quite a bit over this figure. Renalytix £7m+ valuation + Verici on top plus Trellus gives a significant underlying cash asset to say the least. Exciting times for EKF holders over the coming weeks. Hope to hear about Trellus Health float soon AIMHO GLA BTG

[srichardson8] 14/1/2021 13:58

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM listed point-of-care business, announces that it has sold 1,675,000 ordinary shares in Renalytix AI plc (LSE: RENX) (NASDAQ: RNLX) at a price of £4.60 per ordinary share, in response to strong institutional demand. The sale has resulted in gross proceeds of £7.705m to EKF and generated a profit of over £5.6m after dealing expenses. Following this transaction EKF will continue to hold 1,002,981 ordinary shares in Renalytix AI plc. 26.11.20 P.S. Sold rather too early but balance worth about £7mn

[speedsgh] 14/1/2021 13:21

Looks like Covid ain't going away for good any time soon... Moderna CEO says the world will have to live with Covid ‘forever’ - HTTPS://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/13/moderna-ceo-says-the-world-will-have-to-live-with-the-coronavirus-forever.html The CEO of Covid-19 vaccine maker Moderna warned Wednesday that the coronavirus that has brought world economies to a standstill and overwhelmed hospitals will be around “forever.” Public health officials and infectious disease experts have said there is a high likelihood that Covid-19 will become an endemic disease, meaning it will become present in communities at all times, though likely at lower levels than it is now. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel appeared to agree Wednesday that Covid-19 will become endemic, saying “SARS-CoV-2 is not going away.” “We are going to live with this virus, we think, forever,” he said during a panel discussion at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference. Health officials will have to continuously watch for new variants of the virus, so scientists can produce vaccines to fight them, he said...

[babbler] 14/1/2021 10:41

Don't EKF own RENX shares which have been flying?

[wan] 14/1/2021 04:42

Renalytix finished up over 18% at $20.50 on Nasdaq. I make that equivalent to £8.25 per share. During yesterday's presentation Co-founder and CEO James McCullough also referred to Kantaro's antibody test as important testing technology and that they are making great strides to get this test out (EKF also gets mentioned in this regard). He states that quantitative antibody testing will be a significant issue in 2021 and 'beyond'. The following article adds more colour and some transparency regarding the FDA approval, which looks set to change, but EKF can already distribute in Europe on the basis of a fully quantitative test - Next-gen antibody tests promise more answers to Covid-19 questions The new tests can open a window into the duration of immunity and to the antibody levels needed to sustain it. But first, a universal standard is needed to ensure results are comparable between tests. By JOEL BERG 11th January 2021 “There’s still a lot to be learned,” said Michael Haydock, a senior director at Informa Pharma Intelligence in London. For example, he said, researchers don’t know if there is a threshold number of antibodies a person needs to maintain immunity, Haydock said. Quantitative tests could help pinpoint a threshold and track whether antibodies fall below it, potentially necessitating a booster vaccine. “Measuring that is going to be very important,” Haydock said in a phone interview. Tests also may be able to quantify differences in immune response based on age, race and other factors. In addition, quantitative tests can be used to assess people who have recovered from Covid-19 and want to donate plasma for use in convalescent plasma therapy, a treatment for the virus. Researchers also may be interested in understanding the response to Covid-19 vaccines among those who are already on therapies that modify their immune systems. “That’s the nature of this pandemic, that you’re trying to move forward when you have more questions than you have answers. Antibody testing can help answer those questions,” said Sara Barrington, chief commercial officer for Kantaro Biosciences. The New York-based company offers a quantitative antibody test for Covid-19 using technology developed at Mount Sinai Health System early in the pandemic. Kantaro is a joint venture between Mount Sinai and RenalytixAI, a diagnostics company based in the United Kingdom. Complicating the issue is the lack of an agreed-upon standard for measuring antibodies. However, clarity is on the horizon. The World Health Organization is expected to set standards soon, Barrington said in a phone interview. “With an international standard, you’d be able to compare the results across different tests,” said Erik Lium, Kantaro’s chairman and the chief commercial innovation officer at Mount Sinai. In November, the Food and Drug Administration approved Kantaro’s test for emergency use. But the approval comes with a qualification: the test, called COVID-SeroKlir, is considered semi-quantitative. The FDA appears to be waiting for the international standard to be set before declaring tests fully quantitative, Barrington said. However, European regulators are not waiting. They cleared COVID-SeroKlir for use as a fully quantitative test. Full story - hTTps://medcitynews.com/2021/01/next-gen-antibody-tests-promise-more-answers-to-covid-19-questions/?rf=1

[sharw] 13/1/2021 19:15

1512 divided by 16.25 = 92.98461538461538 but you can't hold a fraction of a share. However since I also had a fraction (0.38) they could have added it to yours and given you one more. It's a bit like that with dividends - if you end up with a fraction of a penny some brokers will sometimes round it up so that all the money they have received is distributed but ii never do that - they keep all the fractions.

[boadicea] 13/1/2021 18:07

adobbing - It sounds sort of correct but you are a little unfortunate insofar as if you held 1512 EKF you should have got 93 Trellus. The question for both the Trustee (Broadway) and the Nominee (e.g. Barclays etc) will be what to do with the large collection of fractions. This is notionally 0.984615 of a share in your case. Probably they will be sold for the benefit of ??? BTW - Is that figure you quote '9876536' by any chance a garbled fraction of a share from your nominee? - which may differ from the nominal fraction calculated on an individual basis as it will have been 'fractionalised' twice.