Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[wan] 13/5/2015 07:06

Excellent news today!

[wan] 06/5/2015 08:00

5th May 2015

EKF introduces specific biomarker test for early Sepsis identification

[wan] 30/4/2015 08:56

Although the other divisions appear to have merged as per the Results indications, Selah appears to have been left out at this stage i.e. it's products/offerings are not shown within EKF Molecular and I note they are only shown via the Selah website. Will this stay this way i.e. a separate entity, could this be sold off as a result of the review (recall that the full purchase price is not payable)?

Anyway, something else caught my attention recently. Recall that in 2014 Selah signed an agreement with Ferrer Incode and also recall from the Results that one of the key deliverables for Molecular in 2015 was -

Launch the Ferrer Incode products into Private Payer and Corporate Wellness markets

I note the following recent comments from the CEO of Ferrer (translated) -

Posted 15th February 2015

"The results of this partnership for the first year will be modest, although this 2015 and this operation is expected to report sales of ten million euros, of which 70% would be net to Ferrer.

[wan] 30/4/2015 07:59

I note that there has been quite a considerable update of the EKF website, some of which represents the changes announced in the Results.

[wan] 28/4/2015 12:41

Angle and EKF in top list -

Top List: 7 Hot New Technologies for Cancer Research

SelectScience reports from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in Philadelphia

27 Apr 2015

[busthief2] 22/4/2015 08:54

Panmure Gordon Broker buy recommendation, target price 39p

[wan] 21/4/2015 07:55

Some interesting updates from Angle yesterday and today.

Staying with the theme of liquid biopsies and given the potential advantages of the combination ANGLE's Parsortix system with EKF's PointMan technology, the following provides for an interesting read -

New Blood Test Shows Promise in Cancer Fight
By GINA KOLATAAPRIL 19, 2015

The hope is that a simple blood draw — far less onerous for patients than a traditional biopsy or a CT scan — will enable oncologists to quickly figure out whether a treatment is working and, if it is, to continue monitoring the treatment in case the cancer develops resistance. Failing treatments could be abandoned quickly, sparing patients grueling side effects and allowing doctors to try alternatives.

“This could change forever the way we follow up not only response to treatments but also the emergence of resistance, and down the line could even be used for really early diagnosis,” said Dr. José Baselga, physician in chief and chief medical officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Oncologists who are not using the new test say they are looking on with fascination. “Our lab doesn’t do it, but we are very interested,” said Dr. Levi Garraway of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

“It’s exciting,” he added. “It’s a top priority.”

Full story -

I note EKF is launching a new Hemo Control analyser -

[wan] 12/4/2015 07:19

Staying with PointMan, EKF are presenting at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting -

Presentation Title: Non-invasive analysis for T790M mutations of EGFR using a selective amplification method

Presentation Time: Monday, Apr 20, 2015, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Abstract Body: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation is associated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, tissue availability limits the genotyping of EGFR T790M mutation in a clinical setting. The aims of this study are to develop a blood-based, non-invasive approach to detecting the EGFRT790M mutation in advanced NSCLC patients, using PointMan™ EGFR DNA Enrichment Kit, which is a novel method for selective amplification of genotype specific sequences.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from NSCLC patients with activating EGFR mutations, who were resistant to EGFR-TKIs treatment. EGFR T790M mutations in plasma DNA were detected using the kit. The concentrations of plasma DNA were determined using quantitative real-time PCR.

Results: 21 (87.5%) of the patients had EGFR T790M mutations in their plasma DNA as detected using the kit. In all 6 cases detected T790M mutations from tumor tissues, the T790M mutations ware detected also in plasma DNA. The concentrations of plasma DNA were higher in patients with T790M mutations than without the mutations.

Conclusions: The PointMan™ is an easily and useful method for determining the plasma EGFR T790M mutation status.

[wan] 12/4/2015 06:15

Dr Ricardo Del Sol discusses his collaboration with EKF Diagnostics

07 Apr 2015

Sonia Nicholas, SelectScience's Clinical Editor spoke to Dr Ricardo Del Sol, Senior Lecturer at the College of Medicine, Institute of Life Science at Swansea University, UK, about using PointMan™ DNA Enrichment Kits and how working with EKF Diagnostics is leading to new advances in cancer diagnostics.

Full interview -

[colonelgrim] 05/4/2015 17:37

Afternoon all you brave 'LONG' lads, just calling in to wish you all a painless exit from this steaming pile of manipulated paper, its time to take the hit!

[totaleclipse] 02/4/2015 19:20

Bigman- For the record David Evans is also involved with Collagen Solutions- another penny share on AIM; a small outfit which has disappointed investors with missed targets recently. I hope he can pull a rabbit or two out of these hats. Must be tough for him at the moment.

[bigman] 02/4/2015 18:32

The chairman, David Evans has his hands full, what with this, which could end up a basket case, and Epistem where he is also chairman, which is a business promising a lot but always tomorrow, shares in that have been tumbling as well.

I think you are being a bit over the top thinking that a SR will result a part floated on Nasdaq, more likely some negative result will come out of it. You don't do a Strategic Review by Non-Execs to conclude floating part of the business, you would do that without a SR.

Silverfern you got it in one £93M of what is really goodwill, or in other words overpayment of the assets you bought !! I thought you cannot keep that on balance sheet any longer with new rules you have to have "fair Value" and justify carrying values in balance sheet and as business is loss making surely you cant justify that value ? but then I am not the accountant, but everyone else seems to write it off.

I have sold and happy to move on

[wan] 02/4/2015 15:05

Cisk...Thanks, obviously I can't comment on the presentation, but I can confirm that the Chairman was confident that they have created value (cue RW's stake building), the large shareholders appear impatient now though, but they did stump up 35p not that long ago only for things quite quickly not to work out as indicated, so some would argue that their impatience is justified. I should point out I am far less tolerant of management not doing what they say they will, but I think there is a solid commitment and genuine intent to put things right.

The Chairman has a duty to follow up genuine approaches of which there were and are several, but reading between the lines, the institutions might think his benchmark (starting price) was set too high (cue the impatience/pressure?). A SR will no doubt sort out who was/is right, even if that ultimately results in a Nasdaq float as the decider!

[cisk] 02/4/2015 14:27

in fact I suspect that's the only reason for the SR, to 'conclude' that it's in the best interests of shareholders to float that division; I have no numbers to crunch to determine how much it would be, but fully expect it would command some lofty multiple on nasdaq.

The possible float was touched on in the investor briefing a few weeks ago. No strategic review was mentioned or alluded to, and they fully recognised the need to build the business this year and stop doing deals.

[wan] 02/4/2015 14:08

I don't think that is out of the question Cisk!

[cisk] 02/4/2015 14:00

my money is on a conclusion of the SR to be float the molecular division on nasdaq.

[robin_lemer] 02/4/2015 12:15

There are many expressed re strategic board review.I think it is worth noting an announcement made on 17th Dec. that the board will shortly be appointing Ron Zwanziger as non ex. Hence my thoughts are that the strategic review is connected to the impending appointment of Ron. and he is quite possibly a catalyst for the review. Putting all this together it can only be positive

[wan] 02/4/2015 11:25

Totaleclipse..."what's changed?" Well given the clearly defined list of deliverables and imminent product launches, and indeed managements confidence, my guess was that private equity interest/other enquiries has continued. However, with no indication or at least an outline why the SR is now deemed necessary, we are all guessing!

Again given the managements apparent confidence in the outlook and on delivery, the need for a strategic view sits oddly with the following excerpt/quote from the recent Results, particularly the last paragraph -

Outlook

Whilst we acknowledge that 2014 was a challenging year where we had setbacks we performed very creditably with a 26% overall growth and we made very significant progress. It is clear what we have to deliver in 2015 and we are very confident that this will be achieved. In 2015 we will see a number of new products being brought to market as well as improvements to some of our important existing products.

The integration of Selah and EKF Molecular into one company will reap short and medium term rewards and Selah's PrecisionPath service, which provides a panel of clinically validated biomarkers that can be used to design specific personalised treatment plans for cancer patients, represents a huge opportunity for growth. This has the potential to become a very high margin reimbursable testing service and the Company will keep shareholders updated as this progresses. Additionally it is clear how advantageous PointMan(TM) will be in the next generation of molecular diagnostic testing.

We believe that this report provides shareholders with very clear guidance on our deliverables for 2015. In addition to these operational goals we are determined to deliver sensible financial goals and as such have set as one of our key performance indicators the challenge to deliver at least 10% annual organic growth therefore outperforming our industry peers. We are convinced that by taking a more measured approach we are putting in place all of the factors required to become even more successful and to produce long term sustainable double digit growth, and value for shareholders.

Julian Baines

Chief Executive Officer
(END)

So, given the above and with today's announcement short on detail, I think investors are now due an indication of the reasoning behind the SR.

Having spoken with David Evans (Chairman) this morning, in brief; the need for the SR is predominantly because of pressure from institutional shareholders, who want the management to investigate further ways of realising shareholder value beyond where we are today. As I stated earlier, the outcome could be one of a number, including carrying on as we are, or splitting off for example the Molecular Division, or a trade sale to name but three. With the company having already received several approaches, it would imply there is value to be had, but at what price? Hence the need (pressure) for SR.

I would add that David Evans came across very well and I have no doubts that his primary objective is looking after shareholders interests, which includes not selling out to PE/venture groups on the cheap!

Apparently against the majority on here, my view for what it's worth is to stick with management on this, and to also note RW's increasing interest.

[pugugly] 02/4/2015 11:18

totaleclipse:- read you 150% Turkeys' do not vote for Christmas !! However Canaccord in their note today suggest that continuing the current strategy is "most unlikely" in their view.

strategically I would agree with them but can you see the directors/board easily giving up their nice remuneration !!!!

Dlku: > Strategy Agreed - Implementation virtually impossible - Should however have been built in their contracts -

However looks like someone has just bought 2 million plus at 20p - (Inside knowledge - stakebuilding - or just plain stupid ? )

[totaleclipse] 02/4/2015 11:03

One of my cynical thoughts on the outcome of this strategic review (seen it before, read the book, got the T shirt) is going to be a whole new set of company objectives, possibly a cash call to provide the funds to action, and new target goals for share price and target date leading to a re-definition of the share options to "motivate" executives to achieve. If that happens I will sell every share I possess and never trouble these pages again.

[colonelgrim] 02/4/2015 10:20

hence my forecast of 10 pence soon, don't be 'LONG' here!

[dlku] 02/4/2015 10:07

Strategic review = shut up shop and liquidate the company with no severance i say

Its been a shambles tbh

Must be running out of cash i guess

[totaleclipse] 02/4/2015 08:44

Well what a weird thing to actually do an official notice about. What it implies to me is that the board do not have confidence in the direction the executive team are taking the company - hence the need for a strategic review. MAybe Zwanziger is the driver for this having got closer to the substance behind the business. It is a huge negative in my book for why would it be needed if evrything was hunky dory- and why announce it except for the fact that it is probably going to affect the share price badly. I mean, don't get me wrong, but didn't the company executive, at the recent presentation in London, announce exactly what they were doing and what their goals were in this crucial 2015 year- just a couple of weeks ago! Begs the question- "what's changed?".