Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[wan] 16/3/2021 06:45

In reaction to the announcement below, Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics Co-Founder and President, Jeff Fischer, stated the following - "Congratulations to GenMark and Roche! The ePlex platform will be a great addition to Roche's molecular platforms. We are pleased that PrimeStore MTM is part of the ePlex RP2 panel package insert. PrimeStore MTM is already cleared for the Roche MagNA Pure based platforms and validated for the Roche Liat point of care device" Roche to Acquire GenMark Diagnostics for $1.8B Mar 15, 2021 Both companies' boards unanimously approved the agreement and GenMark's operations will continue in Carlsbad, California. Roche said in a statement that GenMark's syndromic panel testing portfolio will complement its own molecular diagnostics portfolio while Roche's global network will "enable expanded reach for GenMark's products," including the ePlex platform. GenMark's "proven expertise in syndromic panel testing provides faster targeted therapeutic intervention, resulting in improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital stays, and will contribute to Roche’s commitment to helping control infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance," Roche Diagnostics CEO Thomas Schinecker said in a statement. The firms also have complementary SARS-CoV-2 products, with GenMark's Respiratory Pathogen Panels identifying pathogens associated with upper respiratory infection including SARS-CoV-2 and Roche's variety of tests for SARS-CoV-2. Cowen analyst Doug Schenkel wrote in a note that the deal makes sense, as GenMark has been "an attractive takeover target for larger diagnostics companies." He also noted that the syndromic testing market "remains underpenetrated and should continue to be one of the fastest growing sub-segments within infectious disease molecular diagnostics for the foreseeable future." In addition, Schenkel noted that most large diagnostics companies have cash to burn due to COVID-19 tailwinds and that GenMark's revenue is expected to "grow robustly for the foreseeable future, especially after accelerated instrument placements in the COVID-19 environment." Full story - hTTps://www.360dx.com/business-news/roche-acquire-genmark-diagnostics-18b#.YFBNGZ37SF4 Of particular note is the comment about the expanded reach for ePlex Platform The ePlex System: The True Sample-to-Answer Solution - hxxps://genmarkdx.com/int/eplex-system/ Of particular note is the importance of the sample collection process for the ePlex System - Reduce Avoidable Medical Errors to Improve Patient Safety Preventable adverse patient outcomes or injury present a serious public health concern and an enormous threat to patient safety1. Recently, a study found that medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States, equating to more than 250,000 deaths per year.2 GenMark is committed to the continued improvement of patient care. The unique solutions on the ePlex® instrument help to improve patient safety across the pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical phases of the diagnostic process, of which up to 70% of clinicians base their decisions3. The ePlex system is designed to automate typically manual procedures that can potentially lead to human errors, such as accessioning of patient samples, and the manual transcription of patient results into a Laboratory Information System (LIS). The ePlex system is designed to be both efficient and safe to ensure that every patient has the best opportunity of receiving a fast, reliable and actionable result. The ability to report patient results with confidence helps improve the overall efficiency of the lab, leading to potentially institution-wide benefits to those running the ePlex system4. Address Common Sources of Medical Error Using the ePlex System Analytical Phase From the moment a test is requested, a patient specimen must be correctly identified, labelled, and tracked. It is in this phase that the majority of errors occur, as the specimen may need to be transported to the site where the testing itself is performed5. Having the ability to track pending test orders, allows the ePlex system to potentially decrease the probability of lost, misplaced or delayed specimens. * Test cartridge chain of custody – direct placement of barcode on test cartridge to reduce potential for mismatched results. * Simple, lean workflow – least number of pre-analytical steps to reduce likelihood of human error and technician fatigue. *Pending test orders – automated download of test orders can notify of lost, misplaced or delayed samples. Analytical Phase During this phase, the patient sample is tested. It is critical that there are necessary QC procedures in place to ensure there are no undetected failures that would lead to incorrect test results. The ePlex system automates QC tracking and onboard reporting to ensure reliable results as well as compliance with the correct accreditation requirements. * Automated QC tracking and onboard QC reporting – assist in accreditation program compliance and ensure that patient samples are run on valid controls through configurable process control settings. * QC frequency reminders – automated adherence and tracking of QC frequency. * Expiration date process control – test cartridge pre-programmed with expiration date and checked upon loading to prevent use of expired reagents. hTTps://genmarkdx.com/int/eplex-system/systems-eplex-report-patient-results-with-confidence/

[btgman] 15/3/2021 10:15

Only 2 weeks to results and webinar all will be revealed. AIMHO GLA BTG

[wan] 15/3/2021 08:40

MG1982...Surescreen Diagnostics is the Company I was referring to. With regard to EKF being involved in lateral flow tests for SARS-COV-2. The only indication we have is a comment from an interview with Longhorns President that they were working with one of the worlds largest diagnostic company's, in terms of utilising longhorns products in the development of a point of care diagnostic test (from memory, a test which differentiates between flu and COVID).

[mg1982] 15/3/2021 08:17

Yes I saw that contract with Surescreen. I guess more generally I am asking, is EKF working with any company to provide their PrimeStore product for any Lateral Flow Antigen tests?

[wan] 15/3/2021 08:09

MG1982...I was referencing Source Bio on the basis they are using PrimeStore MTM. I don't particularly follow ODX. But for interest only, I note another UK diagnostic player (not a listed entity) secured a contract with a value of £503m for the manufacture of Lateral Flow Antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2.

[mg1982] 15/3/2021 07:52

thanks Wan but that was for SBI from last year. I am referring to ODX

[wan] 15/3/2021 07:43

Source BioScience to use PrimeStore MTM kits for COVID-19 testing service EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM quoted point-of-care business, announces 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. hTTps://www.sourcebioscience.com/news/source-bioscience-to-use-primestore-mtm-kits-for-covid-19-testing-service/

[mirandaj] 15/3/2021 07:31

MG1982 It was an observation purely for interest.

[mg1982] 15/3/2021 07:28

Mirandaj and Wan, Thanks for the contract info for ODX. Can you please point me to information that states that EKF will have a part of this with their PrimeStore MTM product? Also, any collaboration between these 2 that I have missed? Many thanks!

[mirandaj] 15/3/2021 07:05

Excellent- from Government web site: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002267-2021?origin=SearchResults&p=1 Date of conclusion of the contract 11 January 2021

[wan] 15/3/2021 06:26

Thanks Mirandaj. I note also that Source Bio, has apparently secured another very large contract - Published 12 Mar 2021 Description Urgent requirement to develop volume for PCR testing for Covid in line with test and trace requirements. Award Detail 1 Source Bioscience (Nottingham) Num offers: 1 Value: £7,610,000 Contractor is an SME. hTTps://bidstats.uk/tenders/2021/W10/746651728

[mirandaj] 15/3/2021 06:00

Just for interest. Contract for £374,000,000 lateral flow tests awarded to Omega Diagnostics Date of conclusion = 12th February 2021 https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005133-2021?origin=SearchResults&p=1#V.%20Award%20of%20contract-0

[wan] 14/3/2021 15:40

Yes, I also believe that digital-health can bring about important change and benefits throughout many aspect of healthcare. Indeed as Roche imply - "Facilitating better health at lower costs". But importantly, it should also result in delivering meaningful savings to national healthcare systems. Overall, making digital-health a compelling case in terms of adoption.

[srichardson8] 13/3/2021 10:37

very good stuff. I suppose the simple take here is that digitisation addresses not only some of the problems from the patient perspective i.e. getting sensible health help more quickly and widely, but also from the providers' perspective of delivery cost. These are the major problems facing health systems

[wan] 13/3/2021 09:56

Subtle tweaks/edits to the above post

[wan] 13/3/2021 09:15

Some months ago, I posted the following - "I already know from previous research that the Irritable Bowl Disease (IBD) opportunity is very large and has attracted global player interest. "I have just finished some in-depth research, which was revealing to say the least! But consequently, I do now have some more research to do." "What I will say at this juncture, is that Roche are particularly interested in transforming IBD care to improve outcomes and patients' lives. This interest (which is extensive) starts to demonstrate the size of the global IBD market" (END) I could say a lot more about the above, but for now, my research had already identified that there is multiple large global players interested in addressing IBD, with interest that extends beyond Roche. And on this note, there was a very interesting IPO which started trading on the NASDAQ yesterday, Prometheus Biosciences. The stock debut at $19 and finished the day at over $25. Prometheus is focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic and companion diagnostic products to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Prometheus utilises a database and biobank which are exclusively licensed from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Back in 2019 Prometheus and Takeda Pharmaceutical entered a strategic collaboration to identify and validate drug targets for IBD and develop and commercialize companion diagnostics for the targets. Again, the collaboration, and indeed the well supported IPO, demonstrating the size of the IBD opportunity. Prometheus Biosciences, revolutionizing GI medicines with precision - hTTps://www.prometheusbiosciences.com/ Prometheus Biosciences’ mission is to create a new paradigm in patient care. Our powerful precision medicines platform leverages proprietary technology to translate complex and deep patient data into precision therapeutics and diagnostics, providing an effective treatment solution for every GI patient. hTTps://www.prometheusbiosciences.com/gi-medicines-platform/ Readers will get the drift, delivering precision therapeutics and diagnostics. Trellus Health (imminent EKF IPO) - Precision Medicine Meets Resilience-Driven Care Because everyone living with a chronic condition should have hope and thrive. hTTps://trellushealth.com/ So, perhaps there may be another collaboration in the making? That aside, Roche is also in play (in more ways than one!), but for now I will only highlight the following as it effectively demonstrates the level of interest and how digital health is revolutionising healthcare - Medical software and the value of digital health Connecting and analysing data to inform better health decisions It’s a claim substantiated every day by innovators across the globe: Digital health is revolutionising healthcare. Whether it’s software as a medical device, clinical decision support (CDS), artificial intelligence and health IT systems – or more consumer-facing technology like mHealth apps, fitness trackers, wearable devices and telehealth systems – digital health is rapidly changing how we predict, monitor, manage and make decisions about health. To help – not hinder – the digital health revolution, the time has come for legislators and regulating bodies across the globe to reimagine their approaches to digital health regulation. For a worthwhile read - hTTps://www.roche.com/about/business/diagnostics/value-of-digital-health.htm Anyone interested in the future of healthcare, and thus the investment proposition, will likely to be considering that digital healthcare and related technologies as becoming the new normal, and a critical part of the healthcare solution. EKF's (and Renalytix) relationship and agreement with Mount Sinai, which provides EKF with advanced access to data and innovative commercial opportunities arising from Mount Sinai Health System owned technologies, managed by MSIP in the field of digital diagnostics, is offering an excellent pipeline of opportunities to EKF shareholders in the field of innovative and digital diagnostics. Please conduct your own research when making investment decisions, as the originator, or the threads contributors, could be either wrong or inaccurate.

[wan] 12/3/2021 07:56

I note there were a couple large trades yesterday.

[wan] 12/3/2021 07:36

Surveillance and preparedness A significant announcement - ABBOTT ANNOUNCES ITS PANDEMIC DEFENSE COALITION: A GLOBAL NETWORK OF EXPERT COLLABORATORS DESIGNED TO HELP PREVENT FUTURE PANDEMICS, CURRENTLY SEARCHING FOR COVID-19 VARIANTS - The Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition is a first-of-its-kind global scientific network dedicated to the early detection of, and rapid response to, future pandemic threats - The coalition builds on Abbott's decades of leadership in virus surveillance and helps to analyze virus samples for unknown diseases and detect mutations and variants including for COVID-19 - Abbott is bringing together global collaborators specializing in identification of unknown diseases, surveillance, virus sample collection, testing and sequencing - Abbott will rapidly develop tests that can be used to help identify, isolate and contain outbreaks when potential new virus threats are identified ABBOTT PARK, Ill., March 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced the formation of the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition, a first-of-its-kind global scientific and public health partnership dedicated to the early detection of, and rapid response to, future pandemic threats. By connecting global centers of excellence in laboratory testing, genetic sequencing and public health research, the program will identify new pathogens, analyze potential risk level, rapidly develop and deploy new diagnostic testing and assess public health impact in real time. The coalition is designed to help the global scientific and health community identify new viral threats, take quick action when one is discovered, and help prevent future pandemics. The sequences of the viruses that are found will be published in a public database so that health officials and laboratories can work together to identify if it's a novel strain, or a virus that has previously been detected. This program expands upon the viral surveillance and discovery work that Abbott has performed over the last three decades. "We cannot fight what we cannot see coming. This program establishes a global network of 'eyes on the ground' that are always looking for threats, which helps the global health community to stay one step ahead of the next viral threat, and allows us to utilize Abbott's expertise and technology to quickly develop tests to address them," said Gavin Cloherty, Ph.D., head of infectious disease research at Abbott. "The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated a clear need for advanced surveillance and viral sequencing – and the critically important role of testing. Understanding what pathogenic threats are emerging will help us test, diagnose and hopefully help prevent the next pandemic." Abbott is helping look for COVID-19 variants and ensuring COVID-19 tests are effective Abbott is playing an important role in helping to monitor for new variants or mutations to the virus that causes COVID-19. The company is collecting virus samples from around the world and looking for any changes (mutations) to the virus's genetic sequencing. With decades of experience in viral surveillance, Abbott specifically designs its tests, including COVID-19 tests, with viral evolution in mind. As new strains are discovered, Abbott vigorously analyzes them so it can ensure its diagnostic tests can detect them. The coalition provides the network to collaborate with other leading institutions on this effort. A global force of scientific experts focused on outsmarting viruses The new Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition consists of global collaborators specializing in virus identification, surveillance, sample collection, testing and data analytics. The process to identify potential new viral threats begins with physicians across the network identifying patients with unknown conditions that they cannot treat or diagnose. Next, patient samples are tested by our partners on a global scale, followed by genetic sequencing and analyses to spot trends and identify peculiarities that may indicate an emerging threat or outbreak. If a potential threat is discovered, Abbott will quickly develop diagnostic testing to assist in containment efforts. Abbott's growing network of partners includes organizations in strategic geographic locations: Colombia/Wisconsin One-Health Consortium at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellin, Colombia Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidémiologique et de Formations (IRESSEF), Dakar, Senegal KRISP, Genomic Centre of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Rush University System for Health, Chicago, U.S. The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil YRG Care, Chennai, India Abbott is in talks with additional non-governmental organizations, governments and research centers of excellence regarding participation and collaboration. "In a sophisticated network like the Abbott Pandemic Defense Coalition, we have access to best-in-class science and technology that makes data collection, analysis and sharing efficient and effective," said Professor Souleymane Mboup, president of Institut de Recherche en Santé, de Surveillance Epidemiologique et de Formations (IRESSEF) of Dakar, Senegal. "The key here is collaboration; no single lab or organization in any one country would be able to conduct testing and analysis of this breadth and scale but connecting global centers of excellence makes it possible for us all to assist in identifying the next potential threats to public health." Full release - hTTps://abbott.mediaroom.com/2021-03-11-Abbott-Announces-its-Pandemic-Defense-Coalition-A-Global-Network-of-Expert-Collaborators-Designed-To-Help-Prevent-Future-Pandemics-Currently-Searching-for-COVID-19-Variants

[wan] 11/3/2021 14:11

Thanks Speedsgh...I absolutely concur!;-) As a consequence of the pandemic, diagnostics has been put firmly on the map and subsequently near the top of many priority lists in terms of investment, especially diagnostics being provided closer to the patient. The emergence and rapid growth in consumer-focused diagnostic businesses, as well as digital health revolutionising healthcare, are also going to provide long term growth trends. Whether it’s software as a medical device, artificial intelligence, health IT systems, wearable devices and telehealth systems etc – many investors will want exposure to the digital health revolution. And it bodes well for the IPO of Trellus Health...not to mention Renalytix!

[speedsgh] 11/3/2021 12:47

Interesting to read the Investment Manager's view on the outlook for the diagnostics sub-sector in the BB Healthcare Trust (LSE:BBH) annual report... "Diagnostics (MSCI weighting: 2.2%, 2020 performance: +27.9%): A strong contender for the Marmite award in 2021. Many companies have enjoyed windfall returns from the emergence of COVID testing. Whilst this will continue for some time, the need should fade significantly on a multi-year view, begging the question of what the correct forward P/E should be for such earnings. As logical as this debate seems, there is a more pressing structural change going on that we have long anticipated and now expect to reap rewards from. That trend is the shifting of diagnostic capabilities closer to the patient; in the physician’s office or at the ward level in the hospital/clinic setting. The desire to ramp COVID testing capabilities has led to record placements of highly capable multiplex “boxes” during 2020. Even as COVID fades, these powerful tools have many other uses and the pull-though revenue opportunities are significant in our view. Rather like the all-powerful smartphone, you find these devices are not always used as initially intended by their purchasers but this does not matter to the likes of Apple. As long as these boxes are extant, they will drive some degree of consumables pull through. We continue to see increased usage of diagnostics as one of the key ‘mega-trends’ in the rapidly changing healthcare paradigm."

[wan] 11/3/2021 07:56

Sequencing, sequencing, sequencing! PUBLISHED March 10, 2021 Thermo Fisher, PerkinElmer broaden COVID-19 mutation tracking products Dive Brief: Thermo Fisher Scientific and PerkinElmer have expanded their respective SARS-CoV-2 assays to help laboratories identify mutations associated with the rapidly emerging variants. Thermo Fisher launched a customizable panel of 22 PCR assays for identification of mutations to track virus variants that cause COVID-19. PerkinElmer will sell to labs a PCR assay that can detect mutations associated with B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 variants, the currently dominant strains, as well as a next-generation sequencing kit to detect all SARS-CoV-2 genetic changes. The products come days after a Rockefeller Foundation report found that the U.S. is currently conducting sequence-based surveillance for fewer than 1% of coronavirus cases, lagging far behind many countries. "The United States has been flying virally blind," the report warns. Dive Insight: Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 mutations has spurred a critical need to track and better understand their biology at the molecular level and determine how changes in the virus impact transmission and virulence, as well as the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics. However, genomic data is not being analyzed or shared fast enough to help public health authorities and scientists make informed decisions about relaxing precautions or adapting vaccines and treatments, according to the Rockefeller Foundation. PerkinElmer and Thermo Fisher are looking to provide laboratories with PCR assays that will enable surveillance of variants that are causing COVID-19 infections and to help them better select which mutations to track to limit their spread. With new and "very worrisome" mutations emerging in the U.S., the Rockefeller Foundation on Monday called for the creation of a national genomic surveillance system for gathering and sharing information on SARS-CoV-2 variants. "Until the U.S. is able to boost genomic surveillance, economically devastating shutdowns remain among the few effective tools to check rapid variant spread — an expensive and disruptive sledgehammer when a scalpel is needed," the report states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January awarded separate contracts to lab rivals Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp to provide genomic sequencing of samples of SARS-CoV-2 and study COVID-19 variants in an effort to improve the U.S. public health response. Financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed. The CDC's goal is to more than double the rate of genomic samples sequenced per week. However, the Rockefeller Foundation's action plan calls on the Biden administration to offer more pre-paid contracts for a fixed number of sequenced samples from state public health laboratories, universities and private companies. "These contracts can mandate specific turnaround times, ensure appropriate representation of all populations, and require information be shared by depositing sequences in designated databases," the plan states. Full story - hTTps://www.medtechdive.com/news/thermo-fisher-perkinelmer-broaden-covid-19-mutation-tracking-products/596457/

[wan] 11/3/2021 07:52

I note yesterday, that Quidel has guided conservatively for a significant softening in SARS-CoV-2 testing demand, but I also note they had a huge fourth quarter and thus shipped a lot of product in that quarter and that some "product in the channels that has not yet been used." The new guidance is also conservative, Bryant also said, as it does not incorporate a number of potential upsides. These upsides include increased demand from employers and schools for the firm's prescription use-only QuickVue self-test, a potential to increase manufacturing capacity faster, the possibility of selling tests outside of the US, a possible increase in infection prevalence, and less than perfect efficacy of vaccines sustaining testing demand. Full story - hTTps://www.360dx.com/pcr/quidel-guides-revenues-below-street-estimate-citing-softening-sars-cov-2-test-demand#.YEm01mj7SF4 Perhaps conversely, I note from yesterdays news regarding EKF's Executive Performance Bonus, the following closing statement - "The Company therefore remains very well capitalised to execute its plans and continues to generate strong operating and net cashflows. As previously announced, the Company expects to pay a dividend again in December 2021 and expects to implement a progressive dividend policy." So (and perhaps somewhat obvious), as of yesterday, EKF continues to generate strong operating and net cashflows. And expecting to implement a progressive dividend policy, would imply a continuation of such performance is also being predicted.

[wan] 11/3/2021 07:52

Wilmdav...I know that EKF/Longhorn have been involved with the development of saliva collection samples, which preferably still require inactivation. But, there are now lots of saliva collection options, and I am expecting saliva collection to be a longhorn option too.

[wilmdav] 11/3/2021 07:24

This announcement from BATM sounds pretty good, about a saliva test. Does it represent a challenge to EKF? Https://www.investegate.co.uk/batm-advanced-comm--bvc-/rns/batm-launches-no-swab-saliva-based-covid-19-test/202103110700108689R/

[firtashia] 10/3/2021 17:32

MG1982- can highly recommend the filter button- clears all the dross from an otherwise very decent board. And your last post got 6 ticks up - so as that market wizard Minervini would say, never go against the wisdom of the market :-)