Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[jsredbird] 01/10/2021 12:54

I don’t seem to be as impressed about the ADL purchase. Looking at their website, it really only appears that they provide COVID-19 testing. The fact that they have positive revenue is more a function of the pandemic than anything. Kind of like having a hose and selling water in front a burning house. I’m also not terribly impressed about “expanding lab capacity.” Being in the laboratory space, this is a commodity. My question is, what do they have on their roadmap to replace COVID-19 when test volume ebbs? It’s a very different thing to establish sales and distribution for molecular test outside of Covid. I like the terms of the deal on EKF’s behalf because it seems to be heavily weighted on the back end. To me, this recognizes the fact that ADL is really a one trick pony at this point.

My guess is that EKF wants a footprint in the US for molecular testing that compliments their point of care. If 10 million up front gets that done, and revenue beyond COVID is baked into the milestones, then it’s a fair price.

[wan] 01/10/2021 09:24

For readers interest, Luke Daum, EKF Chief Scientific Officer, related patent and patent applications etc (where several are particularly notable) -

[wan] 01/10/2021 07:21

Increased volumes of MTM required to ramp lab testing volumes, future virus/preparedness, and to help address the upcoming flu season -

Jeff Fischer, President of Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics -"By combining our PrimeStore MTM liquid with SiO2's 12 millimeter test tube, labs have the ability to test a patient for multiple viruses—one tube can be used to test a patient for COVID-19, influenza A, and influenza B at the same time."

Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics and SiO2 Materials Science Team Up to Develop 12 Millimeter Sample Transport Media for Higher Volumes of Automated Virus Testing
September 30, 2021

AUBURN, Ala., Sept. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics, an innovative molecular tool, assay and vaccine development company focused on serving unmet critical needs in both developed and developing nations, and SiO2 Materials Science, a privately-owned U.S. advanced materials science corporation introducing breakthrough disruptive technology for packaging biological pharmaceuticals and vaccines, today announced a partnership to produce and distribute PrimeStore MTM in SIO2's proprietary 12 millimeter sample transport tubes. The transport tubes will allow large laboratories with high volumes of sample testing to pool 10 times more samples with 1/10th of the required materials. The sample transport tubes are manufactured by SiO2 and are available now to labs for testing COVID-19, influenza, and other widespread viruses.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic virus testing has been critical to targeting new cases and assessing the impact of the virus on the global population, and has inspired labs to shift towards higher volumes of testing for both COVID-19 and future virus needs. To further support this trend, the collaboration between Longhorn and SiO2 combines SiO2's 12 millimeter test tube with Longhorn's PrimeStore MTM, which is a patented, FDA-cleared sample collection system that inactivates RNA, mRNA, and DNA pathogens.

"We take immense pride in our partnerships, and our collaboration with SiO2 is no different—our companies have come together to meet the needs of virus testing today and prepare for the next pandemic. Si02's production capabilities are a key reason why we're working with them; they have the ability to produce millions of tubes per month," said Jeff Fischer, President of Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics. "By combining our PrimeStore MTM liquid with SiO2's 12 millimeter test tube, labs have the ability to test a patient for multiple viruses—one tube can be used to test a patient for COVID-19, influenza A, and influenza B at the same time."

Beyond the ability to test multiple viruses using one tube, labs can use the test results to subtype each virus and see which strains of COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other viruses are circulating within a specific population. This will allow the U.S. government to track viral patterns to dispatch appropriate testing and virus prevention.

"We reached out to Longhorn in February because we view their sample collection technology as first-in-class when it comes to inactive sample testing. With the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, now is the time for us to join together to offer a new solution for virus testing at high volumes," said Lawrence Ganti, President and Chief Business Officer at SiO2 Materials Science. "We can produce up to two and a half million tubes per week, so combining our manufacturing with Longhorn's technology makes sense for the future of virus testing."

Longhorn was able to scale its operations from 50,000 to 100,000 tubes of PrimeStoreMTM per month prior to March 2020, to weekly shipment exceeding 2 million tubes during the height of COVID-19 in the US, to help the federal government expand its testing capabilities.

[wan] 01/10/2021 05:53

Luke Daum - inventor of PrimeStore® MTM - joins EKF Diagnostics as Chief Scientific Officer

30th September 2021

EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, has appointed Luke Daum PhD as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), bringing a wealth of expertise in molecular-based diagnostics to EKF’s leadership team. Inventor of the PrimeStore® MTM (Molecular Transport Medium), the FDA cleared and CE IVD marked sample collection device which deactivates viruses, Dr Daum holds significant industry experience in leading teams from concept to blockbuster products. In the fight against COVID-19, over 50 million PrimeStore MTM vials have now been distributed globally, supporting safe and reliable molecular testing.

In his role as Chief Scientific Officer at EKF Diagnostics, Dr Daum will provide a valuable scientific lead for the research and development of EKF’s broad clinical diagnostics product portfolio and support the Company’s growth of its molecular diagnostics and life science offering. “The future of EKF’s expansion into products and services that enhance diagnostic disease detection is very exciting, and I look forward to using my experience to help advance EKF’s growth into high throughput diagnostic testing centers, clinics, and at point-of-care,” said Dr Daum.

EKF’s incoming Chief Executive Officer, Mike Salter commented, “We are delighted to welcome Dr Luke Daum to EKF’s leadership team as a highly respected and liked member of the Life Science and Diagnostic community. His extensive knowledge and experience in successful product development and insights in molecular diagnostics will be instrumental as we continue to drive the significant momentum that we have realized in support of the COVID-19 pandemic response.”

Mike Salter’s appointment as CEO will be effective from 1 October 2021. As the current President of EKF Diagnostics’ American business, he has been responsible for all US facilities including sales, operations and Regulatory Affairs, and also has a particular focus on EKF Life Sciences in Elkhart, Indiana. Previously, Mike worked at GE Healthcare where he was General Manager for the Custom Molecular Reagent Business within GE Life Sciences.

Full release -

[wan] 30/9/2021 08:15

Edits to the above post

[wan] 30/9/2021 08:12

A factor that I was particularly impressed with is the ADL lab capacity as exemplified by their corporate offering of being capable of undertaking testing whether you have 10 employees or 10,000. Again as exemplified by already providing testing needs for dozens of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies.

And what also particularly piqued my interest was that ADL is expanding its range of testing capabilities across a broader suite of healthcare applications. Further augmented by EKF investment, cue Mike Salters comment -

“The ability to offer testing for a wide range of diseases, combined with our existing point-of-care device, reagent, sample collection, kitting and manufacturing services, positions us as a single provider able to encompass all products and services from ‘sample-to-result’.

And indeed the roll of EKF's new Chief Scientific Officer, Luke Daum. Who recently commented as a reaction to the ADL acquisition, that he was "Excited to be part of EKF’s exponential molecular biology growth!

[mirandaj] 30/9/2021 07:36

Simple and clear:

[tongosti] 28/9/2021 15:08

Relative strength through the roof. Good this happens during tumultuous wider market conditions. I couldn't care less what fundamentals suggest unless the share price plays ball. Been v quiet post b/o day (except today) but somehow this has still held its nerve. This is then only uk stock I have a position in at the moment so who knows this maybe indeed about to travel North soon (or not in which case the good old SL is the best insurance policy).

[james188] 28/9/2021 13:53

Interesting. I specifically asked about this element of the company’s strategy at the recent results presentation and it was acknowledged that this would constitute a step change for EKF. I note that ADL was only established last year, although it’s backers have been around a lot longer. It sounds as if EKF intends to invest a good deal more, so no doubt we can expect further announcements, including key customer contracts. One thing I am not clear about is what sort of employee base ADL has and whether its founders will have any ongoing role, other than as shareholders for a period.

[wan] 28/9/2021 10:03

Melody...Indeed!

[melody9999] 28/9/2021 09:58

Wan - yeah I get that. If I was selling my business, I'd want some cash in my bank account please. Unless of course I was super super confident that all that cash would be better off in the shares of my acquirer.

[wan] 28/9/2021 09:51

Melody9999...Duly noted, but my read into that is that EKF is very confident about their own prospects, including the growth strategy, and indeed their own cash generation.

[tongosti] 28/9/2021 09:40

V good holdup in very challenging wider market conditions. Unless 79 is taken we're still good.

[melody9999] 28/9/2021 09:39

I like the deal and note this: "including a testing offering that our industry partners have been looking for us to provide".
Amazon??

But unless I am missing something, the 2 year lock in is a bit of window dressing. From the RNS:
(1) after the date that is sixty (60) days following completion, the vendors may sell in aggregate up to twenty percent (20%) of the total number of Consideration Shares held by them collectively;
(2) after the date that is six (6) months following completion, the vendors may sell up to a total of fifty percent (50%) of the total number of Consideration Shares (including any such shares sold under (1) above); and
(3) after the first anniversary of the completion date, the vendors may sell all of the Consideration Shares held by them

So what is being locked in for 2 years - excepting that ADL BOD need to go to EKF and ask for permission?

[wan] 28/9/2021 09:27

Singer Capital Markets has published a new research note on EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc.

Acquisition of diagnostic service lab

EKF has made its first acquisitive move under the revised strategy, acquiring ADL Health, a USbased CLIA-accredited diagnostic service laboratory. It is paying $10m up front in EKF shares, with a performance-based three year earnout. In the 6m to Jun-21, ADL generated $6.3m revenues and $2.6m EBITDA giving an attractive initial purchase multiple of 1.3x Revenues and ~2.0x EBITDA. The acquisition provides EKF with a platform to complement and broaden the group’s existing diagnostic capabilities and should enhance its overall growth prospects.

[faz] 28/9/2021 08:28

I think taking the all share dealshows a lot of faith by the owners of the acquired company. THere may be tax breaks in it, but then again EKF maynot have been the only suitor.

[wan] 28/9/2021 08:00

For ease of access, I have added EKF's 2021 – 2024 Growth Strategy to the header.

[wan] 28/9/2021 07:51

EKF takes a big step closer to the patient!

The high confidence exhibited by the acquired owners in EKF is notable.

For an initial dilution of 2% for an earnings enhancing, cash generative acquisition, in a combination that dovetails very well with the growth strategy, especially in terms of expanded diagnostics, looks insightful and considered.

From EKF's Growth Strategy -

CLIA lab for diagnostic tests
– Further area of partnership with global private sector partner
– Potential to link to Trellus, Renalytix and Verici
– Move into $4bn US diagnostic testing market which has forecast CAGR of 13% from 2021 to 2027

The dawn of a new era is upon us!

[rivaldo] 28/9/2021 07:16

Good news - an earnings-enhancing $10m acquisition of a Texas-based lab. The ambitions of the acquiree are clear to see - the deferred consideration is capped at a whopping $60m based on huge and immediate growth, and the vendors are taking an all-share purchase consideration and are locked in for two years:

[tongosti] 27/9/2021 15:02

79 if you ask me but yes and it is a minor difference.

[jsredbird] 27/9/2021 14:55

Looks like 80p is now sustainable benchmark. Been above that mark since the jump on the 10th.

I’ll take it.

[tongosti] 27/9/2021 11:03

B/o still in play by the skin of its teeth chaps. Amazed at such low volume consolidation

[tomps2] 24/9/2021 08:30

Christopher Mills mentions EKF at 30:24 in the latest Interview with PIWORLD

Watch the video here:

Or listen to the podcast here:

[tongosti] 22/9/2021 15:16

Tic toc tic toc mg