Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[wan] 29/1/2021 08:42

Another one of the big diagnostic guns firing both barrels - Danaher Q4 Revenues Up 39 Percent Jan 28, 2021 NEW YORK – Danaher reported on Thursday a 39 percent year-over-year increase in total sales for the fourth quarter, beating the consensus Wall Street estimate. Blair said Danaher's underlying base business increased approximately 4 percent in the fourth quarter. He added that Danaher is expanding its production capacity at subsidiaries Cepheid, Cytiva, and Pall Biotech to "support increasing demand for COVID-related testing and treatment." Meanwhile, Cepheid, part of the Diagnostics segment, saw more than 100 percent core growth and passed $2 billion in annual revenue, one year after hitting the $1 billion mark, Blair said. During the quarter, Cepheid shipped approximately 9 million test cartridges, and Blair said the firm expects to ship 9 million during each quarter this year. Approximately 60 percent of the respiratory tests shipped were for SARS-CoV-2 only, while 40 percent were the 4-in-1 test for SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B, and respiratory syncytial virus, he added. In Asia, there was a preference for the SARS-CoV-2-only test because the flu isn't as prevalent there, but in Europe there has been increasing adoption of the 4-in-1 test, although it's been staggered country by country, Blair said. Cepheid also placed "a record number" of new GeneXpert systems, increasing its installed base 35 percent in 2020 to more than 30,000 instruments globally. Blair said the company has been thoughtful in placing those instruments, so they will "find great utilization" in the long term once COVID-19 testing demand has decreased. The company ended the year with $6.04 billion in cash and cash equivalents. In a statement, Blair said "2020 was also a transformative year for Danaher with the addition of Cytiva — the largest acquisition in our company's history and one that has strengthened our position as a global science and technology leader." Cytiva generated more than $4 billion in revenue and 25 percent revenue growth in 2020, Blair said on the call. He also noted a "record bioprocessing demand," with Cytiva and Pall's combined order growth up more than 50 percent in the quarter. The 2021 revenue opportunity associated with COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics in the bioprocessing business is expected to be $1.3 billion, Blair said. Cytiva's strong performance has helped offer Danaher "more degrees of freedom" to make deals, but Blair said the firm will likely focus on smaller to midsized mergers and acquisitions for the time being. For the first quarter of 2021, Danaher forecast core revenue growth including Cytiva will be in the mid to high teens range. Blair added the firm expects mid-single-digit growth in non-COVID-19 related businesses. For full-year 2021, Danaher expects core revenue growth in the low double digits. Blair said the second half of the year would have tougher prior-year comparisons due to the significant growth in the second half of 2020. He also said the firm expects non-COVID-19-related businesses to see mid- to high single-digit growth. Full story - hTTps://www.360dx.com/business-news/danaher-q4-revenues-39-percent Point of interest, PrimeStore® MTM has been validated on wide range of high throughput platforms, including Cepheid.

[wan] 29/1/2021 07:57

An insightful read - 4 key trends for medtech in 2021 COVID-19 challenges, and opportunities, will continue to impact companies this year. AUTHOR Greg Slabodkin PUBLISHED Jan. 29, 2021 Another banner year for COVID-19 testing Demand for COVID-19 testing will continue to accelerate over the next year, with volumes remaining high until vaccines are widely distributed, according to Moody's. Despite the rollout of coronavirus vaccines, Abbott, Hologic and Quidel are ramping up their manufacturing capabilities in anticipation of another banner year for COVID-19 testing. CEOs from the diagnostic makers laid out their coronavirus test plans earlier this month at J.P. Morgan. "Everybody thought as soon as vaccines came, testing is going to go away. I think everybody is now seeing the realities of rolling out vaccines, of distribution chains. There is so much more complexity," MacMillan said. "This market, we believe, continues to grow and continues to be strong. And while it will certainly come down at some point, we believe it's going to be stronger for longer." Tuck-in acquisitions poised to take off While M&A slowed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a report from consultancy EY predicts medtech dealmaking to jump in 2021 as companies are armed with a record high of roughly $500 billion in financial firepower. So far this year, the industry has seen a flurry of activity. While some companies will look for tuck-in acquisitions, a handful of deals over $1 billion should be expected, according to John Babbitt, EY's MedTech leader for the Americas. In addition, EY sees several subsectors as top targets in 2021 for M&A activity including diagnostics, digital health, and remote patient monitoring. Digital, remote tech adoption to grow The company has “leveraged COVID” to accelerate its digital investments and capabilities in such focus areas as clinical trials, customer engagement, mobile solutions, medical education and remote case support, Mahoney said. Boston Scientific’s initiatives include remote case support and virtual reality solutions, remote monitoring of clinical trials, as well as teleproctoring and virtual medical education. “We see these platforms as a key catalyst for growth and structural and cost savings opportunities over time, and continue to expand our footprints and these digital capabilities,” Mahoney added. Full article and a worthy read - hTTps://www.medtechdive.com/news/4-key-trends-for-medtech-in-2021/593856/

[rivaldo] 28/1/2021 14:35

NIce feature today on the expansion in Cardiff: Https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/ekf-expands-into-second-manufacturing-facility-in-cardiff "EKF expands into second manufacturing facility in Cardiff 28 Jan 2021 EKF Diagnostics has expanded its production with the introduction of a new manufacturing facility in Cardiff. The expansion is to help the listed business meet demand for PrimeStore MTM, a key component of the Covid-19 testing process. PrimeStore MTM allows Covid-19 samples from swabs to be rapidly inactivated in the collection tube, enabling safe transportation and avoiding contamination while preserving RNA for accurate analysis without the need for refrigeration. The new facility is more than 600 sq. metres, representing a 100 per cent increase in manufacturing space. Up to 36,000 PrimeStore MTM tubes will be produced at Llandough every day, adding to EKF’s existing manufacturing onsite at Penarth and at its three other facilities in Texas and Indiana in the US, and Barleben, Germany. EKF engaged only local contractors during the fitting out process and now finished, the new facility at Llandough will provide work for up to 40 staff, operating three tube filling pump lines and three rooms for sample kit assembly. Already EKF has created over 30 new jobs on the production line and in quality assurance, customer services, purchasing, operations and logistics to meet the demand for PrimeStore MTM. EKF expects to employ more staff as it settles into the new facility. EKF’s continued growth, has created opportunities for many other new employees from a diverse range of Covid-19 impacted industries. The new manufacturing facility will also become a distribution hub for EKF’s latest portfolio addition, Covid-SeroKlir which is an antibody test developed by Kantaro Biosciences based on technology from Mount Sinai Health System in New York. EKF chief executive Julian Baines said: "We are proud to be bucking the current employment trend in Wales by taking this strategic decision to increase the size of our manufacturing facilities in Cardiff. We could have stayed in our previous manufacturing space but by moving into larger facilities we have room for growth and can ensure our growing staff numbers can operate in a safe and secure environment." He added: "Although Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out, we are still experiencing strong demand from both public and private sector customers for PrimeStore MTM. "We are also about to launch our new Covid-19 antibody testing kit which we believe will also be of interest to labs, hospitals and businesses who want to identify which members of staff have antibodies. Those with a high antibody count will have strong resistance to the virus and with regular monitoring can return to the workplace."

[wan] 28/1/2021 09:45

An interesting development (previously delayed) within the NHS, with savings also being an important part the underlying rationale - MedTech Funding Mandate policy 2021/22 Guidance for NHS commissioners and providers of NHS-funded care Foreword I am delighted to be launching the MedTech Funding Mandate policy to support commissioners and providers to use clinically effective and cost-saving medical devices, diagnostics and digital technologies that will improve patient outcomes. This policy will benefit patients by enabling faster and wider sustainable adoption of proven and affordable innovations, a commitment in The NHS Long Term Plan. COVID-19 has impacted all of our lives and been the greatest challenge to the NHS in generations. The response to COVID-19 delayed the previous launch of the MedTech Funding Mandate, but the response has also taught us that we now can’t lose the opportunity to embed positive changes and we should continue to build on our collaborative working and strength our partnerships across the health system. The MedTech Funding Mandate underscores the importance of companies working with NICE to put their technologies through the appropriate assessments. NHS England and NHS Improvement will consider technologies proven to be clinically and cost-effective for inclusion in the future updates of the policy. We look forward to working with you to implement the MedTech Funding Mandate to make sure the best medical technologies get to patients faster. Criteria for inclusion in the MedTech Funding Mandate 2021/22 11. We reviewed all NICE medical technologies guidance (MTGs) and NICE diagnostics guidance (DGs) published by 30 June 2020 to identify devices, diagnostics or digital products that: i) are effective: demonstrated through a positive NICE MTG or DG; 5 ii) deliver material savings to the NHS: the benefits of the innovation are over £1 million over five years for the population of England; iii) are cost-saving in-year: NICE modelling demonstrates a net saving in the first 12 months of implementing the technology; iv) are affordable to the NHS: the budget impact should not exceed £20 million, in any of the first three years. 6 12. To ensure that the adoption of this policy does not create undue burden on providers and commissioners, it is being launched in 2021/22 with a small number of products that meet the criteria above, and a fifth criterion that the products were previously supported through the ITT/ITP programmes. 7 hTTps://www.england.nhs.uk/aac/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2021/01/mtfm-policy-guidance-jan-2021.pdf We’re bringing together industry, government, regulators, patients and the NHS to remove barriers and accelerate the introduction of ground-breaking new treatments and diagnostics which can transform care. The AAC supports all types of innovations: medicines, diagnostics, devices, digital products, pathway changes and new workforce models. hTTps://www.england.nhs.uk/aac/ Those up to speed will already be aware of the Trellus Health business rationale, which appears to dovetail quite well with what the NHS and other health services are looking for. Not to mention what Point of care tests offer in terms of patient benefits and earlier interventions and savings etc. The NHS has never been a main pillar of revenue for EKF's core business, far from it, however, I do recall EKF stating that there were encouraging signs of greater adoption within the NHS.

[wan] 28/1/2021 07:58

The diagnostic big guns are starting to report their earnings. To summarise, they are reporting very robust Covid related testing growth and related earnings, outstripping analysts expectations. Earnings momentum is expected to continue through 21 with higher confidence in the normalization of their underlying businesses, including growth in some areas such as diabetes. Excerpts from Abbott- 110% jump in diagnostics sales compared to the prior year was driven by strong demand for its rapid antigen and PCR-based coronavirus tests. CEO Robert Ford told investors on Wednesday's earnings call that he sees "sustainability" in 2021 for testing despite the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. hTTps://www.medtechdive.com/news/abbot-q4-beats-estimates-fueled-by-COVID19-testing/594036/ Abbott said it anticipates full-year 2021 earnings per share from continuing operations of at least $3.74. Adjusted EPS from continuing operations for 2021 is expected to be at least $5.00. Ford said he expects COVID-19 testing to continue to be a big driver of Abbott's revenue even as vaccines continue to roll out. "I don't think we've even seen testing demand peak yet," he said. On the mergers and acquisitions side, Ford said the company is always looking for opportunities but continued that any deals in 2021 would likely "be tuck-in in nature" to augment some of the firm's existing portfolios. hTTps://www.360dx.com/business-news/abbott-q4-diagnostics-revenues-111-percent-fy20-revenues-9-percent Hologic excerpts - Hologic Fiscal Q1 Revenues Rise 89 Percent as Dx Testing Demand Surges Jan 27, 2021 NEW YORK – Hologic reported after the close of the market on Wednesday that revenues for its first quarter of fiscal year 2021 surged 89 percent year over year, driven by sales of its diagnostic testing products for SARS-CoV-2. "Hologic had a strong start to fiscal 2021 across all our businesses and major geographies," Steve MacMillan, the company’s chairman, president, and CEO, said in a statement. "Our Diagnostics division continued to deliver incredible performance by making a massive impact against COVID-19." hTTps://www.360dx.com/business-news/hologic-fiscal-q1-revenues-rise-89-percent-dx-testing-demand-surges

[tongosti] 28/1/2021 07:04

You wouldn't know it pal (as my approach is fundamentally different from yours) but I look at every single piece of valid info before I step in. If you really think about it, one is in charge of protecting own capital only in this game, with the market being in charge of returns. In other words, being obsessed with managing risk (and minimising the cost of one's mistakes) is hardly a trait of a "bag of nerves" personality type but rather something entirely different. Like I said, my approach is entirely different to yours.

[boadicea] 27/1/2021 21:40

tong - Sometimes it helps just to have a look at the market background. You must be a bag of nerves!

[tongosti] 27/1/2021 15:54

Never give the tape the benefit of the doubt. Nobody in this universe (this doesn't apply to a few space geniuses floating around here:) knows the difference between a temp dip and the start of a major crash. Covered my long for a ... gigantic 3% loss. Happy to stand aside until another signal comes along.

[speedsgh] 26/1/2021 17:12

Fund managers' favourite UK smaller companies - HTTPS://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/tips-ideas/2020/11/18/fund-managers-favourite-uk-smaller-companies-shares/ EKF is in joint second place alongside SDL, behind Future in top spot.

[wan] 25/1/2021 16:23

Just to put some more context into my previous comment regarding the attributes of PrimeStore MTM offering users a safe, and more efficient sample collection process, via the elimination of cold chain logistics, which in turn reduce costs - From Thermo Fisher Scientific - Description *PrimeStore™ MTM is the only FDA Cleared (cleared in 2018) Molecular Transport *Medium for respiratory samples suspected of harboring influenza or TB. *Considered by US FDA as a primary sample collection device for SARS-CoV-2. *PrimeStore™ collected samples enable safe handling for both point of care and in the laboratory--since the entire sample in inactivated/killed including SARS-CoV-2 and more resilient microbes like gram positives, etc. *Once a swab or biofluid is added to PrimeStore™ the user has a “snapshot” in time for that sample. *The DNA, and more importantly the labile RNA is preserved/stabilized. *Groups all over the United States, Europe, and Africa/Asia use PrimeStore™ to move and transport samples across borders using NORMAL FedEX and UPS shipping. - Since the pathogens collected are eliminated, the samples can be shipped using routine boxing/shipping methods. - Samples in PrimeStore™ can be shipped with NO COLD CHAIN, no wet or dry ice. *Samples do not have to be pre-processed in BLS-III or even BLS-II safety levels. *Safe or normal technician testing. *The collected sample in PrimeStore™ can be used/re-used several times for additional testing. *Many Labs use the first sampling for detection by qPCR and the second for NGS or gene sequencing. *PrimeStore™ MTM was designed to be compatible with all Qiagen-based extraction systems (bench top and high throughput liquid handling systems). It works with the Thermo Scientific MagMax, Roche MAGNAPURE or almost all DNA/RNA liquid handling extraction systems. *The medium if in cryotubes can be frozen at ultra-low for biobanking or simply stored in the refrigerator (since the medium is safely preserving the collected sample). hTTps://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/molecular-transport-media-2/p-8986001

[tongosti] 25/1/2021 12:41

Following from my previous post this is a good market action against the larger backdrop of weaker markets. Not out of the woods yet for me to raise my stop above entry but getting close. Let's see what Mr Market will make of it all this week.

[wan] 25/1/2021 10:16

Edit my post 1439, to include 'do not' - says a lot beyond what the current metrics 'do not' indicate!

[btgman] 25/1/2021 10:03

I would totally disagree with his assessment also. New facility in Cardiff is producing 36,000 tubes per day for Covid 19 testing what is this going to be worth this is from one location let along all the rest. The rest of the business appears to be going at a pace. The value of Renalytix and Verici are both performing well and ultimately will add further significant cash. This is solid value at current levels AIMHO GLA BTG

[wan] 25/1/2021 09:52

I have to say that the comment from the Hardman analyst Dr Martin Hall that EKF is relatively expensive now but will continue to do quite well, whilst his comment is positive, it also sums up the lack of understanding that EKF actually offers good value to those who appreciate there is more to EKF than the metrics 'alone' reveal. On that note, and for those still holding the EKF spin-out, Renalytix, who's shares are now knocking on the door of £9 per share, says a lot beyond what the current metrics 'do not' indicate!

[mirandaj] 23/1/2021 16:27

Very good NXC. Good publicity and shows complete efficiency. There seemed to be a problem with transport to UK but solved by flying the equipment in to where required. Impressive.

[nxc] 23/1/2021 15:56

www.mdr.de/tv/programm/video-485278_zc-12fce4ab_zs-6102e94c.html good publicity for EKF in Germany

[wan] 22/1/2021 16:03

We may have arrived in a goldilocks' period, neither too hot, nor too cold (maybe no bad thing)........until the next update/contract win etc. Accumulating and being patient has paid dividends here in spades! But I am not expecting growth or value creation to stall.

[srichardson8] 22/1/2021 15:44

if you had a long position with a spread better, and wanted to exit, you would be able to deal at 70.6. I can sell 10k shares with one of my online brokers at 74p. Nice business for a spreader if you can get it.

[wan] 22/1/2021 15:32

Tranquility appears to have arrived, is this a sign that the overhang has been worked through? One could imagine that the increasing likelihood of perpetual Covid testing, utilizing an already FDA authorized sample collection device, antibody testing, and potentially antigen testing, not to mention a progressive dividend policy and potential spin-outs beyond Trellus etc, might have also caused for some reconsideration i.e. should we be buying some back? Time will tell!

[rivaldo] 22/1/2021 12:35

Going by the latest trades the actual spread is around 73.5p-75.4p, so not sure what the MMs are doing with such a wide published spread. Perhaps it's an indication that they're trying to discourage trading as they're short of stock, or have buyers waiting to scoop up available stock.

[srichardson8] 22/1/2021 11:59

The Hardman analyst Dr Martin Hall also slips in a good word on EKF at the end of his 17 minute interview with London & SE, released yesterday. 17 minutes, worthwhile https://www.hardmanandco.com/hardman-talks-martin-hall-discusses-the-life-sciences-sector-and-the-hardman-co-healthcare-index/?dm_i=49CL,ZXFJ,ZPOON,4I4T7,1 Has the spread on EKF widened? It is actually trading around 75 but the bid/offer is 71/78 and has been most of today so far.

[mginvestor] 22/1/2021 11:21

Mentioned in the Shares mag last night as a comment by the Sanford / Free Spirit fund: ‘EKF Diagnostics (EKF:AIM) has been a large position for the fund, having been held since 2017, and the share price approximately doubled in 2020.‘More significantly I am pleased with the way management are reinvesting in the business for future growth.‘Cash windfalls from contract manufacturing of components for Covid-19 testing kits are being deployed into new joint ventures with the Mount Sinai healthcare system in the US and into the core analysers and enzymes business, with enough left over for EKF to have paid a maiden dividend in 2020." The key bit being what they are doing with the cash. A reminder that the core business is still progressing strongly and that is what we will fall back on. IMO the market is currently pricing in only short term continual benefit from testing. Any meaningful contract news or upgrades from the company AND how their core business is doing should see us going much higher in 2021.

[wan] 22/1/2021 10:35

Sorry Rivaldo, I very rarely look in on AVCT, but to be fair, and on this occasion I did actually see your post, which jogged me to visit the source and post it here, and of course adding my own take that the analyst aligns with my view regarding sustainability of testing. So, credit where it's due Rivaldo!