Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[rivaldo] 14/9/2020 15:22

Many thanks hastings - very informative. Interesting to see the CEO's opinion that testing will be necessary for the next couple of years at least.

[hastings] 14/9/2020 14:09

Looking forward to others observations who will be taking part in the catch up later.For now, my contribution for interest.Https://martinflitton1.wixsite.com/privatepunter/post/catching-up-with-ekf-14-09-20

[wan] 14/9/2020 10:28

Rivaldo...Thanks for the update.

Just like Singer, it's best not to bake too much in, but we can debate from where the upgrades might result from and thus the likelihood and reason for such confidence. I align with Singer, in terms of the potential for improvements to trading to run well into next year. But let's keep things realistic!

Food for thought - In its bid to control its surging virus infections, India's testing regime is switching over to lower cost, rapid antigen testing (criticised by some). In August, before pulling back, India hit their target of processing 1 million tests per day. And tested over 54 million samples for the coronavirus (COVID-19) as of September 10, 2020.

[cheshire man] 14/9/2020 10:06

Excellent report here this morning, will be happy to top up if we fall back with the sell on results day brigade :-)

[wan] 14/9/2020 09:30

From the Presentation - ATM product aimed at low cost markets expected Q4

[wan] 14/9/2020 09:23

A copy of the investor presentation re Half Year is available here -

[rivaldo] 14/9/2020 09:18

N+1 Singer have retained their 3.3p EPS forecast for this year, but note that:

"Given we have only included firm orders for Primestore up until the end of this month, we remain confident further upgrades are likely for the rest of this year and into next."

[chessmaster10] 14/9/2020 09:13

Any thoughts on why we're getting a drop this morning?

Results looked solid, nothing to ring alarm bells for me. Very good on profits.

Maybe a bit of price manipulation to accumulate before a new leg up?

[btgman] 14/9/2020 08:44

I like the look of the second half:- currently they are saying that the underlying business is picking up so you would expect second half to be not less than £26.33m.
We need to look at Sample testing separately £6.46m first half sales. Secon half sales we have $14.1m plus £3m so total £14m so we already have £7.54m more sales for second half v first half. I suspect this will add £5m to EBITDA at which point EBITDA for the year is going to be in the order of £23m with any additional test kit sales for the next 3.5 months to add on.

I have a view that this is massively undervalued.

AIMHO
GLA
BTG

[malcolmmm] 14/9/2020 08:39

I think a few pence up from here later on although I did sell my Fridays top-up first thing as planned , came out even but thought it worth the risk .Core holding is for the long term.

[wan] 14/9/2020 08:33

I am particularly interested in EKF's Central Laboratory & Life Sciences division, given that demand reported numerously elsewhere, in terms of molecular reagent demand, as being very high indeed and which has been outstripping supply, to the affect of constraining certain testing efforts!

It is notable then that EKF has seen a combination of increased demand and 'new' enquiries, and are responding accordingly -

"We are about to start contract manufacturing for a number of new products in our US facilities including molecular and RNA kits for five potential new customers, in addition to the continuing work with Oragenics on enzymes for use in research, and iGenomX for a molecular enzyme. Finally, sales of the Altair analyser and related chemistry reagents were up 36%."

Furthermore, in the Outlook Statement, I note a somewhat subtle remark -

"We are seeing continued benefit due to the demand for PrimeStore MTM tubes and bulk liquid, including the recently awarded contract with a large UK customer and we are investigating and commencing supply of additional products. "

With no mention of the Antigen product from Longhorn that EKF employees are being trained for probably fitting, at least in part, with what constitutes "additional products"

The pullback post results is quite common for most stocks, in EKF's case perhaps even healthy, but whether any of the above is adequately being reflected is a matter that will be decided by the fullness of time, or by further detail etc.

[wan] 14/9/2020 07:56

1st half was indeed as guided by the Trading Statement (I didn't expect anything else!). But there is a lot weighted to the second half, including orders than are significantly larger that the first half.

Manufacturing capacity in the UK has expanded further, with an additional line, now three lines in the UK, to the two reported in early August when announcing a UK order of £3m, with EKF also establishing manufacturing at both their Barleben and Leipzig sites in Germany. Expansion, with no announcements of further UK orders/contracts, or indeed 'any' European orders of note.

Such commitments to manufacturing expansion, would suggest, at the very least, demand is indeed high and we may get further updates accordingly.

[rivaldo] 14/9/2020 07:48

Yes, it's great to see that statement reiterated once more:

"the full year performance remains likely to exceed previously revised management expectations"

Plus "Q3 2020 trading performance is in line with management expectations, and remains significantly above our internal budget".

Also very encouraging to see that the core business has performed so well during the pandemic, providing a strong backstop to Primestore's outstanding sales.

Finally, "the completion of Quo-Test cartridge registration in China which is expected before the end of Q1 2021, and negotiations are under way with potential distributors to sell both analysers and tests in 2021". Which is promising.

[apatel21] 14/9/2020 07:43

But it's the outlook that is even more important FY likely to beat previously revised expectations ie we have already upgraded multiple times and we will most likely beat the latest upgrade - nice

[mirandaj] 14/9/2020 07:08

Figures are pretty much as trading statement as expected. Comprehensive update.

[wan] 13/9/2020 11:34

My post above has been slightly edited/tweaked.

[epicsurf] 13/9/2020 11:21

There is a great deal of knowledge on this board and appreciate the information shared,looking forward to results as well and hopefully there will be more contract wins/repeat orders in Monday's results and update

[wan] 13/9/2020 11:06

Although I am a little confused regarding the mixed use/reference to antigen (on Longhorns website) and antibodies (on the inventors tweet). Hopefully readers will appreciate that in any regard, there is a 'notable' difference between PrimeStore MTM and PrimeStore ATM.

Currently PrimeStore MTM is used for molecular tests, such as laboratory RT-PCR tests, that detect the virus’s genetic material, whereas ATM refers to an antigen test that detects specific proteins on the surface of the virus, which can be used in near sample collection/patient settings.

In other words, both PrimeStore products address sample collection for COVID-19 testing, but for different testing regimes/situations, and offering, in the case of ATM (antigen), an additional and significant opportunity. Importantly, with one not diluting the other.

Assuming ATM has indeed been designed for antigen testing, it is likely to be using saliva as the sample. Which in turn starts to fit quite well with some of my previous posts regarding rapid saliva tests. With the references to rapid testing, and influenza, and the recent comment from Longhorns President regarding working with one of the largest diagnostic companies in the world for use in point of care, providing further food for thought.

[mirandaj] 13/9/2020 10:40

Still recruiting too!

"....COVID-19 testing service increases in demand our team continues to grow! We are proud to be recruiting during the pandemic. Interested in joining us? Contact us to find out more: [e-mail]"

[hastings] 13/9/2020 09:51

Tweet from Source Bio yesterday bodes well for EKF as they say they've almost doubled their workforce in 3 months as their Covid testing service increases in demand!

[wan] 13/9/2020 09:31

Food for thought...We may get confirmation, or a separate announcement regarding the following -

Dr. Luke Daum, inventor of Longhorn's exciting new collection solution called PrimeStore Analyte Transport Medium (ATM), trains the formulation team from #EKF #StanBio. ATM is optimized for rapid antibody testing & qPCR minus extraction! Will be a Blockbuster!

[melody9999] 13/9/2020 09:26

and more spam I guess - yawn