Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[bradders1234] 30/6/2020 08:59

Frustrating as has broken down out of the trading range...

Interested to find out whether just a shake but have SL in place just in case.

Some news would be welcome at this point on manufacturing and future progress

[melody9999] 30/6/2020 08:54

1 Disappointing share price action given the prospects here, As I posted before:

The new orders from Longhorn are highly significant. 2 months $9.4M – mean potential 6 months to y/e $28.2M.

Other sales will continue and should start to increase again as we come out of lockdown. But the full year revenue in 2019 was only £45M so IMHO EKF will blow this out of the water. DYOR

2 In addition, I note the comment from the TU 15/5:

Sadly, the pandemic is still gaining momentum in most areas of the United States. The US Administration is emphasizing testing as the most appropriate means to contain the virus. In these circumstances, the Board expects the second half of the year will see continued momentum and the full year results will exceed, perhaps considerably, its recently upgraded expectations.

Unfortunately this comment is still highly relevant ..... making the 'perhaps considerably' more likely.

[wan] 24/6/2020 07:41

Testing High on the Agenda at House COVID-19 Hearing

— Lawmakers, witnesses agree more testing is needed
by Joyce Frieden, News Editor,
MedPage Today June 23, 2020

WASHINGTON -- "Testing" was the word of the day at Tuesday's House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing on the federal government's COVID-19 response, with committee members on both sides of the aisle agreeing that the current level of testing was not good enough.

"Testing has been a problem since the beginning, and while it's improved, we are still falling far short of the 900,000 daily tests public health experts believe we need," committee chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) said in his opening remarks. "We are also hampered by the administration's refusal to develop and implement a national testing and contact tracing strategy. This cannot continue -- we need federal public health experts to take more of a leadership role, and this administration is failing to allow that."

"COVID-19 has laid bare how vulnerable we are and how much more work we need to do as a government," said Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the committee's ranking member. "Six months ago, we'd barely heard of this virus ... We quickly went from knowing little about this virus to creating a test for it, and testing more than 25 million samples, with recent averages of more than 500,000 tests a day, but we all know there's more to be done."

Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) wanted to know how testing was going to increase. "We've been hearing bold proclamations of promises of increased testing for months now, and every time they've come up short," he said to Giroir, who had earlier stated he expected the U.S. to be testing 40 to 50-million people a month by the fall. "What's going to be different moving forward, and how does the U.S. get to the 50-million-test promise?"

"I disagree with your question; I don't believe we've come up short every time we've said something," said Giroir. "Right now we're doing about 15 million tests per month.... When I tell you 40 to 50-million tests, that's because I know every single lab, producer, what they're doing, when they're providing it, how they're going to distribute it.... The capacity will be there for 40 to 50 million tests at least in the fall. Hopefully it will be much greater than that."

Full story -

In short (and not just in the US), expect more testing, a lot more testing!

[melody9999] 23/6/2020 16:01

Great research WAN - thanks. From post 158 I also found this snippet of particular interest:

PrimeStore MTM is the only FDA-approved Class II device for the storage and stabilization of microbial nucleic acids (RNA and DNA).

So I can see why this device is in great demand. (NB Primestore is owned by Longhorn, but EKF have a contract to manufacture and supply)

[wan] 23/6/2020 14:37

With post 158 intimating European contracts over and above that with Source Bioscience. Time will no doubt tell!

[wan] 23/6/2020 14:26

Potential for more contracts in the offing -

22 June 2020
Trump admin sitting on $14B for testing, tracing, Democratic senators say

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said that despite the spike, HHS has not dispersed more than $8 billion of the $25 billion Congress allocated for testing and contact tracing, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn't awarded almost $4 billion in funding for public health surveillance efforts. Just a fraction of the $2 billion Congress set aside to cover testing for uninsured Americans has been spent, the senators wrote in a Sunday letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar exhorting him to immediately disburse the remainder of the funds.

Michael Caputo, HHS' public affairs assistant secretary, did not refute the figures in a statement to Healthcare Dive but said the agency is committed to getting funds to those that need them most as quickly as possible.

[wan] 23/6/2020 14:19

JUNE 22 2020
Successful fight against COVID-19 requires massive amounts of testingPrivate entities have taken up the slack in the U.S., but the dearth of testing is still hampering the mitigation of the pandemic.

Jeff Lagasse, Associate Editor


By mid-May, the testing capacity in the U.S. had finally risen from a few thousand a day to about 300,000 a day. Still, that's far short of what's needed. The Harvard Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience estimates, for example, that the country will require testing at a rate of "20 million a day to fully remobilize the economy." To safely reopen, "we need massive testing capacities (that) don't currently exist," said Georgetown's Gostin, one of the authors of the report.

Debates are now raging about whether U.S. states have begun to move too quickly to reopen restaurants, stores, barbershops and many other engines of life and commerce after weeks of lockdown.

But there is one area of widespread agreement, said Robert Tjian, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at the University of California, Berkeley: The safe path out of the pandemic requires enormous amounts of testing.

Full story -

[wan] 23/6/2020 14:10

Highlighted by EKF 21st June 2020
New EKF device for sample handling COVID-19
The new patented sample collection device ensures better handling and safe transport of evidence without the need for refrigeration.

In addition to doubling the current manufacturing capacity of this device in the United States, on behalf of Longhorn, EKF has rapidly reused its European manufacturing facilities in Cardiff, UK and soon in Germany. This substantial increase in manufacturing capacity is to meet not only new orders from the United States , but also new European supply contracts for PrimeStore MTM; including an agreement with Source BioScience UK Ltd to be used for its growing COVID-19 testing service.

Full story -

[wan] 22/6/2020 08:07

Growing evidence suggests there are worrying and dangerous effects from COVID-19, beyond the well-recognised stress response associated with severe illness that can affect both those with and without diabetes.

New-Onset Diabetes in Covid-19

TO THE EDITOR:
There is a bidirectional relationship between Covid-19 and diabetes. On the one hand, diabetes is associated with an increased risk of severe Covid-19. On the other hand, new-onset diabetes and severe metabolic complications of preexisting diabetes, including diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolarity for which exceptionally high doses of insulin are warranted, have been observed in patients with Covid-19.1-3 These manifestations of diabetes pose challenges in clinical management and suggest a complex pathophysiology of Covid-19–related diabetes.

Full correspondence -

Study shows COVID-19 impacts blood glucose levels among those with type 1 diabetes
19th June 2020

Aside from COVID-19, the research team also identified several other health issues, that many of the participants had in common, with obesity being the most prevalent at 39.4 per cent and 12.1per cent of the confirmed COVID cases had high blood pressure. Nearly one-third of the patients developed Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Full story -

Endos Discuss Diabetic Ketoacidosis in COVID-19, Dexamethasone
Miriam E. Tucker

June 19, 2020

A new article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) addresses unique concerns and considerations regarding diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the setting of COVID-19.

Corresponding author Marie E. McDonnell, MD, director of the diabetes program at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, discussed the recommendations with Medscape Medical News and also spoke about the news this week that the corticosteroid dexamethasone reduced death rates in severely ill patients with COVID-19.

The full JCEM article, by lead author Nadine E. Palermo, DO, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, also at Brigham and Women's Hospital, covers DKA diagnosis and triage, and emphasizes that usual hospital protocols for DKA management may need to be adjusted during COVID-19 to help preserve personal protective equipment and ICU beds.

"Hospitals and clinicians need to be able to quickly identify and manage DKA in COVID patients to save lives. This involves determining the options for management, including when less intensive subcutaneous insulin is indicated, and understanding how to guide patients on avoiding this serious complication," McDonnell said in an Endocrine Society statement.

Full article -

Readers will note that management of DKA would appear to be an essential element in managing and treating COVID-19 patients.

EKF's FDA CLIA-waived analyzer launched in the USA in March may prove timely and provide a crucial/essential tool -

Diabetic patients with abnormally high levels of βHB are at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). βHB is the predominant ketone body present in the blood during DKA. For this reason it is a more appropriate test than traditional nitroprusside reaction urine tests that do not measure βHB.

The STAT-Site® WB analyzer uses two different strips to provide results in just 10 seconds for β-ketones and 5 seconds for glucose allowing for clear and comprehensive management of diabetes patients displaying early signs of DKA to be quickly treated and then monitored on a regular basis.

[wan] 16/6/2020 08:02

I note that last Friday (12th June) EKF obtained FDA 510(k) clearance for their Hemo Control (Optional Add Pack Hemo Control DM).

[wan] 16/6/2020 07:52

Update on Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics contract with Department of Homeland Security. Longhorns contract is for up to $225m ($25.8m paid to date)-

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics LLC
> Max. value of contracts won during COVID-19: $225.8 million
> Largest federal agency customer: Department of Homeland Security ($225.8 million)
> Total amount paid to date: $25.8 million (11.4% of potential total)
> Industry: Diagnostic supplies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium, which was invented in 2006, has proven invaluable as it can rapidly inactivate the virus and allow molecular testing outside containment facilities, increasing therefore the number of testing laboratories. The company was awarded a contract with the DHS that could be worth as much as $225.8 million.


Longhorn are looking to differentiate, secure supply and accelerate testing -

Jun 15, 2020

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics LLC, and Greenfield Global Inc. partner to accelerate COVID-19 Testing and Detection

Longhorn has selected Greenfield Global's Pharmco brand high purity reagent alcohol to quickly distribute its PrimeStore MTM® worldwide.

Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics, an innovative molecular tool, assay and vaccine development company, and Pharmco, Greenfield Global's popular brand of specialty alcohols and high-purity solvents, have combined to rapidly accelerate coronavirus testing and detection which are critical to combating the global COVID-19 pandemic.

"Formulating solvents that meet our customers' criteria allows us to help them make incredible products and meet the demands of the market," said Steve DiBenedetto, Senior Vice President of Sales & Operations. "Our Pharmco branded products are blended and packaged at our GMP-compliant facilities operating under an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System which ensures a high quality, consistent product. Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostic Testing's innovation is remarkable. We value their trust in our top-quality products, our security of supply, and our reliable supply chain, which allows us to help support millions of critical tests worldwide." PrimeStore MTM® is an FDA-cleared collection medium for respiratory samples, including SARS-CoV-2 virus and has emerged to become a critical tool in the fight against COVID19.

Full release -

[malcolmmm] 12/6/2020 16:55

New Covid cases UP 35% in the USA

[wan] 12/6/2020 07:22

I should have added that, the Longhorn transport media being produced by EKF for diagnostic testing, is less reliant on the success (or failure) of particular tests, which means that millions will be required regardless!

[wan] 12/6/2020 07:18

Per year costs of COVID-19 diagnostic testing has been estimated. With the main thrust being that testing will be essential beyond 2020

COVID-19 diagnostic testing costs may hit $25B per year, AHIP study finds

PUBLISHED
June 11, 2020

Dive Brief:
Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 will cost an estimated $6 billion to $25.1 billion annually, while antibody testing costs could range between $5.2 billion and $19.1 billion, according to a report by Wakely Consulting Group commissioned by America's Health Insurance Plans.

The large variance is due to uncertainty as to which type of test will be used most along with the unknown future level of testing and variability in costs per test. The higher estimate assumes a scenario of widespread, higher-cost testing, like those for returns to work and school, the report published Wednesday said.

The estimated costs for administering the tests were between $95 and $130 for diagnostic testing for Medicare and Medicaid and between $90 and $125 for antibody testing, depending on location. Commercial administration was counted at about 25% higher.

Full story -

[pldazzle] 11/6/2020 16:11

also
hTTtps://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/01/2041439/0/en/Coca-Cola-Bottlers-Dedicate-Production-Capability-to-Support-COVID-19-Test-Kits.html

[wan] 11/6/2020 15:44

I have been keeping an eye on other developments too -

Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics and Cenetron Diagnostics Team up with Coca-Cola Bottlers to Produce COVID-19 Test Kits

June 01, 2020

As part of the collaboration, Cenetron and other medical product manufacturers will begin producing COVID-19 testing kits using Longhorn’s proprietary PrimeStore® Molecular Transport Medium (MTM) and preform Coca-Cola bottles, sourced from SEC, as test tubes. The goal is to manufacture 1-2 million preform test tubes per week to help meet the broader US testing goal of performing 10 million COVID-19 tests per week.

Longhorn’s PrimeStore MTM is the only FDA cleared nucleic transport device that inactivates microbes within the device. By CDC guidelines, inactivated samples can be transferred to point of care devices and laboratory based molecular testing equipment without the need for a biological safety cabinet, reducing the time from collection to results. Samples can be easily and quickly moved from the Coca-Cola preform to microcentrifuge tubes for rapid automation.

“We are very thankful for the top notch team of problem solvers in the Diagnostic Group at HHS, and the scientists at Oak Ridge and Sandia Laboratories for facilitating this solution through Coke Consolidated, SEC Containers and Berry Global,” said Jeff Fischer, President of Longhorn. “Cenetron and our growing network of manufacturing partners, many of which are small, family owned business, have stepped up to provide much needed filling capacity while providing additional jobs to their communities. These first-rate Coca-Cola preforms, with leak proof caps, will ensure that we can continue to produce as many PrimeStore MTM sample collection devices as the country needs.”

Full story -

Cenetron and Longhorn are located very conveniently to EKF's Stanbio Laboratory in Texas.

[wan] 11/6/2020 14:40

I note that the US Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded contracts worth about $151 million to 16 companies to provide swabs and other supplies for Covid-19 testing. The largest single contract went to Longhorn Vaccine and Diagnostics at $25.8m. And it would appear that the US government will be issuing further contracts. -

U.S. Buys $151 Million in Swabs, Other Items for Virus Testing
June 8, 2020

The largest contracts went to Longhorn Vaccine and Diagnostics LLC, Thomas Scientific LLC, and Remel Inc. The majority of the contracts are to be completed by July 1, although a few end in early October. Spending for the supplies can go up to $200 million.

Brett Giroir, a top official at the Department of Health and Human Services who has overseen the administration’s efforts to ramp up testing, said June 3 that the federal government plans to send states up to 20 million swabs and 20 million tubes of the fluid in May and June.

Its plan is to provide states 100 million of each through at least December, but Giroir also said the administration has yet to finish the contract for those supplies.

Full story Bloomberg-

[malcolmmm] 10/6/2020 15:00

On the move. Techinvest- keep buying

[melody9999] 27/5/2020 13:47

The new orders from Longhorn are highly significant. 2 months £9.4M – mean potential 6 months to y/e £28.2M.

Other sales will continue and should start to increase again as we come out of lockdown. But the full year revenue in 2019 was only £45M so IMHO EKF will blow this out of the water. DYOR

[mr dexy] 26/5/2020 08:42

Hi Wan,

Thank you for your comprehensive response.... it is greatly appreciated!

Best wishes and

Regards to all.


Mr D

[hatfullofsky] 23/5/2020 10:26

It passed mine at 40p

[hatfullofsky] 23/5/2020 09:29

Anybody in or looking at GDR ? Crazy rise but some interesting tech. The board is full of nutters (of which we have our fair share here sometimes)

[wan] 23/5/2020 08:37

Nothing new, but to further highlight and confirm etc -

EKF Secures COVID-19 Novel Sample Collection Kit Manufacturing and Supply Contracts

Patented PrimeStore® MTM sample collection device deactivates samples for safe sample handling and transport

May21st,2020
EKF DIAGNOSTICS

CARDIFF, UK — May 21, 2020 — EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, announces it has secured new contracts for the manufacture and supply of a novel, patented sample collection device which allows COVID-19 samples to be rapidly inactivated in the collection tube, avoiding contamination and preserving RNA without need for refrigeration. To support the increase in COVID-19 testing globally, a safe and easy sample collection and transport mechanism is essential—this is provided by the PrimeStore® MTM sample collection device.

Full story -

[wan] 23/5/2020 08:30

Edit to above post, CDC storage guidelines added.