Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[se81] 08/6/2022 10:29

Looks like the chart is bottoming…

[wan] 07/6/2022 14:50

A free worthwhile, easy to read pdf -

COVID-19 Has Transformed Society: What it Means for Clinical Labs
Posted by Chris Wolski | Jun 6, 2022

Since its declaration as a pandemic in March 2020, COVID-19 has transformed society, particularly attitudes about clinical testing. Even with COVID-19 entering its endemic phase, due to a combination of scientific reality with falling infection numbers in first-world countries, political and economic pressure by citizens and business leaders, and plain, old-fashioned exhaustion, laboratorians and pathologists know that COVID-19 is here to stay no matter the societal pressures designed to “move beyond” the pandemic.

There is little doubt clinical laboratories will remain on the front lines of the fight against COVID. In this CLP-produced eBook you will learn:

How serology has played and will continue to play a key role in identifying and classifying new SARS-CoV-2 mutations, allowing new tests to be developed quickly.
How labs can help clinicians effectively meet COVID testing demands during so-called “flu season” with planning and multiplex testing options.

How clinical laboratories will play a critical role in helping clinicians identify long or chronic COVID conditions that could plague the healthcare system for decades to come.

Clinical Laboratories Remaining Vigilant
Clinical laboratories will remain on the front lines of the fight against COVID.

In the following pages you will learn:
• How serology has played and will continue to play a key role
in identifying and classifying new SARS-CoV-2 mutations,
allowing new tests to be developed quickly.
• How labs can help clinicians effectively meet COVID testing
demands during so-called “flu season” with planning and
multiplex testing options.
• How clinical laboratories will play a critical role in helping
clinicians identify long or chronic COVID conditions that
could plague the healthcare system for decades to come.

It is unclear the long-term effects that COVID will have on society as a whole, but clinical laboratories will undoubtedly continue to play a role in keeping SARS-CoV-2, at worse, an endemic annoyance.
Chris Wolski is chief editor of CLP

[p1nkfish] 07/6/2022 09:00

Good to have that exposure. Legalisation will probably involve potency limits that will need testing for. Havent read the entire post so may already have been mentioned in there.

[wan] 07/6/2022 08:19

Edit to the above post - this will not be EKF's only exposure to cannabis compounds and formulations

[tongosti] 06/6/2022 15:03

Long weekend so nothing to "note" from our resident gambler. What's going on - run out of batteries?

[supernumerary] 03/6/2022 15:52

Could there be any interest in the Angle Parsortix liquid biopsy, which has just received FDA approval? If not, there should be :¬)

FDA clearance RNS:

Recent article in the FT, courtesy of ASDB9 on the Angle thread:

Pharmaceutical companies are lining up to use a pioneering cancer test developed by UK start-up Angle after it received a first-of-its-kind US regulatory clearance.

Angle's liquid biopsy test captures live cancer cells in the blood that clinicians can use to personalise treatment by understanding the mutations and gene expression in each patient's cancer. Shares in the London-listed company jumped almost 60 per cent on the day the Food and Drug Administration gave the test clearance for use in metastatic breast cancer.

The Surrey-based start-up already works with US drugmaker Abbott to use its test to identify patients who will respond to its treatment Herceptin. It is working on a trial in ovarian cancer and this week signed a deal with Philadelphia-based MidLantic Urology to study its test in prostate cancer. Andrew Newland, chief executive, said other companies had approached Angle since the clearance last week because the test enables them to follow their progress as the drug tackles tumours. Ultimately, it hopes they will develop diagnostics as companions to each drug.

Our vision is that we're going to transform the way that cancer is diagnosed and treated for every cancer type worldwide, he said. So we either have to be a very, very large company, or as we're currently planning, we have to have many deals with very large companies to achieve that. He said Angle wants to help clinicians who are flying blind, trying to work out which treatments a patient will respond to. In metastatic breast cancer, over half of patients do not have a biopsy at the secondary site, or repeat biopsies. The cancer changes over time so the tissue biopsy becomes out of date, he said. Until now, harvesting these cancer cells has been a huge challenge because there is roughly one to every billion blood cells.

The company, which grew out of a consulting business helping commercialise intellectual property, acquired the patents behind the test from George Hvichia, a scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. Investment has been pouring into the nascent liquid biopsy market, funding scientists who hope that a simple blood test can replace more invasive ways of detecting and monitoring cancer. Gene-sequencing company Illumina is acquiring cancer-testing group Grail for $8bn, while other businesses such as Thrive and Freenome have raised large sums in private funding rounds.

Rivals are focusing on developing tests that could be used to diagnose patients with early-stage cancers, before they begin to experience symptoms. This could be revolutionary but is fraught with risk because the tests must be very accurate to avoid false positives. In contrast, Angle is focusing on tracking already diagnosed cancers to enable more personalised treatment and is selling a testing product to labs rather than offering a service.

As demand soars, Angle plans to expand its workforce by 50 per cent this year and to double the size of its headquarters. But Newland said there had been far more appetite for the test in the US than from the UK's NHS, even though it has the EU CE mark. The company has worked with top UK cancer research centres such as Barts Cancer Institute but would like to roll it out more extensively across the health service, where it has been very, very difficult to gain traction. Unfortunately, we failed miserably. We tried. But we're finding all the traction is coming on the United States side, which is very disappointing, he said. We can even provide this test at relatively low cost, but it's just impossible to find anybody who's able to make a decision.

[wan] 03/6/2022 06:11

An interesting new EKF/ADL webpage -

Specialties
Test Profiles (A-Z)


Only the COVID-19 test is live on the list atm, but it gives some insight into the planned expansion beyond COVID-19 testing.

[wan] 01/6/2022 07:51

Recall one of the pillars from EKF's Growth Strategy -

Investment in existing core business (enzymes and contract
manufacturing) to drive aggressive organic growth

Indicative of the level of interest and indeed the growth prospects -

QIAGEN Acquires Majority Stake in Enzymes Provider BLIRT S.A.

BLIRT adds new R&D and manufacturing capabilities for customized and standardized recombinant enzymes, as well as molecular biology reagents

Strengthens QIAGEN’s sample technologies business, one of the company’s five pillars of growth, also with additional global production capacities and broader commercial reach

BLIRT develops, manufactures and commercializes standardized and customized solutions for proteins and enzymes as well as molecular biology reagents. Its offering includes proteins and enzymes that are critical to the life sciences industry and diagnostic kit manufacturers, especially for non-COVID-19 applications. BLIRT, founded in 1994 in Gdansk, Poland, has approximately 90 employees and generated 2021 sales of less than $10 million.

“The addition of BLIRT to QIAGEN brings highly complementary capabilities that will create additional growth prospects for our enzymes and reagents business,” said Thomas Schweins, Senior Vice President and Head of QIAGEN’s Life Sciences Business Area. “BLIRT will also widen our geographic presence, add new sales channels, strengthen our production and R&D capacities and safeguard our supply chains. This acquisition will further strengthen our sample technologies business, one of our five pillars of growth. And it also supports our strategy to focus on attractive growth opportunities in the life science and molecular diagnostic markets and our disciplined approach to value-creating acquisitions.”

Full release -

[wan] 31/5/2022 05:29

EKF Diagnostics : launches middleware connectivity solution for POC analyzers and data management
05/30/2022

EKF Diagnostics announces the launch of its newEKF Link digital connectivity solution for the secure management of point-of-care (POC) analyzers and associated data on one centralized platform. An open, flexible solution, EKF Link middleware can be interfaced to all vendors' POC analyzers, including EKF's own portfolio, to enable real-time remote management of data, such as patient test results, QC results, operator management and analyzer configuration.

"We designed EKF Link working together with hospital POC managers to ensure that our new middleware connectivity solution would meet their specific needs for a single, comprehensive and flexible platform to centrally manage all of their POC analyzers plus data generated," said Jo Nicol, Head of IT Solutions, EKF Diagnostics. "Our new EKF Link software delivers this essential digital connectivity with traceability that is increasingly required for safe, secure and effective POC testing using analyzers in many differing locations."

Full release -

Connect all of your analyzers on one software platform
EKF Link is a middleware solution for healthcare providers to manage all of their Point of Care analyzers and the generated data on one centralized platform.

EKF Link is a flexible, open solution that can be interfaced to any vendor’s Point of Care analyzer to permit the real-time management of data including patient test results, QC results, operator management and analyser configuration.

EKF Link enables the transfer of data from the analyzer to the hospital or laboratory database for subsequent processing.

[wan] 30/5/2022 09:56

I should have added that back in February, Labcorp unveiled their new Labcorp OnDemand platform (which replaced its Pixel by Labcorp service), further indicating that direct-to-consumer testing is likely to expand in terms of test types and demand, with such platforms and laboratory testing facilities also able to respond rapidly to future health emergencies.

[wan] 30/5/2022 09:39

Preparedness means being in a permanent state of readiness, for which residual stock and manufacturing capacity will from an important part.

I note that Labcorp recently obtained Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a combined at-home collection kit available that simultaneously detects COVID-19, influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

It's notable because it's the first non-prescription, direct-to-consumer at-home collection PCR test kit for combined COVID-19, Flu and RSV Detection. I believe they will not be the only company to obtain such authorisation, and it's likely that companies will pursue full FDA authorisation in due course.


Test kits direct to consumers for multiple respiratory viruses beyond COVID-19 indicates the new direction of travel, and that the paradigm shift is already underway. These types of test kits and their effective use has been well and truly validated via the pandemic. it's therefore very likely that momentum (new additional direct-to-consumer test kits) will build further in this area.

EKF Diagnostics contract manufacturing facilities are well placed to benefit.

[wan] 27/5/2022 08:59

The testing tail might, unfortunately, prove to be longer than some are currently factoring in, and in any regard, countries need to be prepared in terms of readying large-scale pandemic response (and not just for COVID-19)-

U.S. Covid Hospitalizations Surge 29% In Two Weeks
Zachary Snowdon Smith Forbes Staff
I cover breaking news for Forbes.
May 26, 2022

U.S. Covid-19 hospitalizations have increased 29% over the past 14 days, according to a New York Times analysis of Department of Health and Human Services data, suggesting that a new Covid-19 surge could be underway following a roughly three-month lull.

KEY FACTS
Forty-seven states reported increased Covid-19 hospitalizations, with the largest increases recorded in Wyoming, where hospitalizations increased by 141%, in New Mexico, where they increased by 114%, and Louisiana, where they increased by 94%.

This national increase in hospitalizations was accompanied by a dramatic 31% increase in seven-day average infection rates and a 10% increase in Covid-19 deaths.

Rises in Covid-19 hospitalizations were strongly associated with rises in Covid-19 transmission—83% of states with hospitalization rate increases above the national average also reported above-average infection rate increases.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Birx warned the public to prepare for a Covid-19 surge this summer, which she predicted would hit Southern states the hardest. This prediction is consistent with the New York Times’ analysis of data from the past 14 days, which showed above-average infection rate increases in 14 of the 16 Southern states. The only exceptions were Mississippi and Oklahoma, which reported 27% and 3% infection rate increases, compared to a national average of 31%.

Full story -


Pfizer warns of ‘constant waves’ of Covid as complacency grows

Chief executive Albert Bourla launches plan to offer patented medicines at lower cost to poorer nations

Roula Khalaf, Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson and Stephen Morris in Davos and Jamie Smyth in New York MAY 25 2022

Growing complacency about Covid-19 and politicisation of the pandemic response will cost lives as the world is hit by new waves of the virus in the coming months, Pfizer’s chief executive has warned.

Albert Bourla said people were growing “tired” of the measures introduced to slow the spread of the virus, while “politicians want to claim victory”. Compliance with authorities’ requests for people to get booster shots would fall even among those who are already vaccinated, he predicted.

This, combined with waning immunity from previous infections and vaccinations, was likely to lead to “constant waves” of Covid variants and deaths, he said.

“I feel when I discuss [Covid] with my friends, people are ready to compromise and lower the bar: maybe we can accept a few more old people dying, [rather] than have to work with a mask,” Bourla said in an interview in Davos, Switzerland, where he noted that few attendees at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting were masked.

“What worries me is the complacency,” he said, adding that the consequences could be seen in three to six months.

Full story FT.com -

Thankfully, there has been a decoupling between infection rates and hospitalisations and deaths, so hopefully that holds. As it is becoming clearer that we will have to learn to live with COVID for the foreseeable, as opposed to it disappearing.

[tongosti] 23/5/2022 11:03

Mr Market non-plussed old chap. Fact am afraid. As one of the best ever in this business used to say, (except Mr Market's view) the rest is conversation. Yawn.

[wan] 23/5/2022 09:46

Above post corrected/edited

[wan] 23/5/2022 08:47

James...Yes, I had considered that too, as the average price of the recent buyback shares was 43.29 pence i.e. the current price is notably cheaper than the buyback price. However, issuing new shares negates the previously stated rationale at completion of the recent buyback that stated "Buying back this amount of ordinary shares at current levels more than offsets the dilutive effect of the new ordinary shares issued in 2021."

[james188] 23/5/2022 08:32

Nothing to stop them issuing new shares at any time under the shareholder authorisation they have if they need to do so for any reason.

[wan] 23/5/2022 08:12

The other aspect is that cancelation of the treasury shares also reflects the managements confidence in the cash generative ability of the Company in still maintaining a sound balance sheet consistent with its capital allocation. In other words, sufficient cash (current and 'future'), and high confidence in the effect from the delivery of the Growth Strategy.

[buywell3] 23/5/2022 08:00

So the buyback shares have been destroyed

buywell can't understand the logic of buying back 9m shares at a higher price than today to destroy them in the climate of today

Cash will be too hard to mention if inflation goes above 10% for any time

[wan] 23/5/2022 07:57

An interesting RNS today, that answers one aspect of my post above, in that the treasury shares will be cancelled as of tomorrow!

In my book that appears to imply something has changed. In other words, the previous buyback conducted in 2018 stated that "the Buy-Back will be funded from the Company's existing cash resources and any Ordinary Shares re-purchased will be cancelled." Whereas the recent buyback stated that "the Buyback will be funded from the Company's existing surplus cash resources and all Ordinary Shares purchased will be held in treasury." Implying that there may have been some strategy/intention to reissue those shares.

And further highlights the dynamic I referred to above (Harwood's 29.04% holding) making it difficult for a new buyback programme to purchase any notable quantity of shares without trigger a mandatory offer. Again unless I am missing something!

So, I therefore assume we will not see a new buyback programme anytime soon, unless perhaps any unwanted interest materialises in the wings, and there would be a preference for a safer/preferred bidder that would see though the delivery of growth strategy?

Does Anyone have any other thoughts, or experienced similar situations?

[wan] 20/5/2022 12:04

I note that the buyback authority to purchase up to 15% of EKF's shares was also passed at the AGM, which is an interesting dynamic given Harwoods current 29.04% holding, and given EKF effectively retired (perhaps temporarily)9m shares, representing approximately 1.94 per cent of its shares into treasury back in March/April.

However, we also do not yet know what will happen to those 9m shares EKF hold in treasury (and do not count when working out the percentage holding), which presumably if re-issued could act to counter/balance the situation. Unless I am missing something?

As I say, its an interesting dynamic, which I assume is unlikely to be triggered.

[wan] 20/5/2022 09:49

James, I understand your reasoning and I also appreciate your frustration.

We may have to patiently wait for delivery of the figures to confirm the potential and the direction of travel in terms of the high margin business opportunities. However, one assumes that any announcement of sizeable contracts and/or trading updates might bring the potential to the market's attention sooner, so a swifter re-rating should not be entirely discounted in my view.

This brings me on to another of my questions at the AGM -
How many EKF proprietary assays are in development, and/or being targeted for development?

EKF are not developing proprietary tests/assays per se, they will however produce both proprietary EKF enzymes as well as third party enzymes that can be produced in bulk scale for mass production of test kits, such as molecular testing, and indeed in other application areas too.

So, proprietary, high margin, enzymes might be an example of an aspect that's underappreciated, as clearly, such enzymes could generate significant value, as well as providing potential to increase EKF's attraction to new and existing partners, and as well as increasing EKF's own moat.

In this regard, the partnership with ABEC to deliver customised, large-scale bioprocess equipment to EKF's specific manufacturing requirements is perhaps particularly worthy of note.

Elsewhere, I note development of a unique fermentation platform to 'sustainably' produce high-quality molecules through fermentation. Such 'bespoke and specialised' fermentation platforms will enable a consistent, scalable, and reliable supply of high-quality functional molecules.

In short, EKF are leveraging their extensive manufacturing capabilities and many years of experience to respond to demand-driven opportunities in a very specialised, attractive, high growth area.

[james188] 19/5/2022 18:30

wan,

I thought that the EKF AGM Q&A session yesterday was excellent - and I noticed that a number of very savvy life sciences private investors who I know from other successful companies (BVXP, TSTL etc) participated. The management team dealt patiently and comprehensively with a broad range of questions, which is to their credit. My frustration is that the very clear messages that emerged as to the direction of travel/high margin business opportunities etc do not come out in the reports or the broker notes that I have seen (limited to Singer, in my case).

EKF is quite a complicated business and I do not think that it is well understood by many people. It really needs a comprehensive note to explain what is going on, but we do not have that. This is a slow burner and I do not expect much to change until the figures confirm the potential.