Ekf Diagnostics Share Discussion Threads

[rivaldo] 26/10/2020 07:13

Nice to see the maiden 1p dividend confirmed this morning:



And thanks wan for this morning's info (you were up early!) - great to see the sizeable increase in manufacturing capacity, both in the UK and Europe.

[hastings] 26/10/2020 06:38

Excellent posts and info as usual Wan, so thanks from me.Next months update should be interesting to say the least!

[wan] 26/10/2020 06:34

To add some weight to my rationale for the referring of larger players to the Longhorn/EKF partnership (and potentially a point of care test) -

Longhorns Chief Scientific Officer and Executive VP has been regularly referencing TF and EKF, plus Cytiva gets a mention too -

[wan] 26/10/2020 06:10

I mentioned that I had not seen any reference to a new manufacturing facility that was made in the Sunday Mail article. It's been confirmed here -

EKF launches PrimeStore® MTM pathogenic sample collection and transportation kit

EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, announces that it has launched a PrimeStore® MTM sample collection kit. This new kit enables convenient and safe collection, transportation and handling of pathogenic samples, including COVID-19 and influenza. Two kit configurations are now available: a postal sample kit ideal for home use and a multi-pack of sample kits suitable for on-site mass sampling. To meet growing demand for this sample collection device, EKF has increased its manufacturing capacity in the UK and mainland Europe.

Pathogenic samples stored in the FDA-cleared, CE-IVD marked PrimeStore MTM novel viral transport media, including SARS-CoV-2, are inactivated within minutes of collection. This allows such samples to be transported safely through the postal system or via courier and complies with UN3373 packaging regulations. Furthermore, as samples are stable in PrimeStore MTM for seven days at ambient temperatures, this removes the need for all cold chain logistics during sample collection, transportation and storage. Thereby, preventing mishandled samples and making postal collection a realistic option.

To ensure that it can fulfil the increasing orders for PrimeStore MTM and the new sample collection kit, EKF is ramping up manufacture in the UK and also mainland Europe. The Company has now started production at its facilities in Barleben, Germany, and will soon be moving its current Penarth-based manufacturing lines in Wales to a new larger facility in Llandough, Cardiff, which is over 600 sq. metres in size. This represents a 100% increase in manufacturing area.

Full release -


It is encouraging that manufacturing capacity is being ramped up (given that manufacture of the new ATM product is also apparently imminent).

[wan] 26/10/2020 04:20

Epicsurf...Yes it has been posted before, hence I refer to it in my post above!

Can I suggest that if you want to check something that's dated (behind the curve!) and want to avoid posting it numerous times (rather than apologise in advance, or come across as ramping), then use the epic search facility at the top of the thread header (it's called, search this thread).

I appreciate it can happen some times, but you are routinely doing it!

[epicsurf] 25/10/2020 13:07

Thanks wan for the thermo Fisher piece ,
This was taken from cenetron twitter feed August 29th,not sure if this has been posted before apologies if it has,
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!
Also of interest on the same feed
Cenetron Diagnostics Retweeted

MLM Medical Labs

@MLM_Labs

·https://mobile.twitter.com/cenetron

9 Aug

MLM medical abs Five years ago we forged a strategic alliance with

. Cenetron has produced 11% of all COVID tests in the USA, which was made possible through an innovative partnership with Coca Cola. Thank you Cenetron for being part of this very important project!


hxxps://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/primestore-mtm-2ml-ruo-50-pk/23100400
You are met with this line

"Due to extraordinary demand patterns, this item may experience longer lead times."

[wan] 25/10/2020 09:07

I have been quietly following Thermo Fisher developments with interest for quite some time (more so when I realised they were selling PrimeStore MTM). They have been one of the larger beneficiaries in terms of increased testing revenues caused by the Pandemic. In their most recent quarter results the following statements confirm they see viral transport media (VTM) as providing sustainable growth -

As I reflect on the long term, we're now recognized by our customers as a scale player in infectious disease testing. We've significantly increased our installed base of sample preparation and PCR instruments over the last nine months and that will create new opportunities for us going forward. Another example of sustainable value is that we continue to ramp up production of supplies that are essential to the testing process, such as liquid handling plastics and the specialized viral transport media used in sample collection.

We highlighted the opening of our new viral transport media facility in Kansas last quarter and in Q3, we announced plans to further expand our global capacity by building a new facility in Scotland to support the European market.

Derik, good morning. So in terms of the $2 billion, the majority is the testing related portion of that. And when you think about the testing portion, it's actually quite expansive, right. So the single largest piece of that is going to be on our proprietary COVID-19 TaqPath kits, PCR kits. But we also have significant revenue from instrumentation and lab-developed tests.

So that's kind of the PCR ecosystem with all of the very substantial sample prep that we provide across the industry as well. We really have built tremendous momentum there. On top of that, our viral transport media business has grown very rapidly, so Q3 was a nice step up from Q2, and we expect that to continue to grow. And that is a key part of the specimen collection, sample collection and transport to a lab. And, -- so that we'll continue to build, and we announced that we're opening up a new facility in Scotland. We broke ground on that, be able to start producing viral transport media at the end of the year to start the European market, beyond the two facilities in Europe that already do that.

Full transcript -

So, I was pleased to hear EKF in their recent presentation confirm that there was no real limiting factor to the amount of the 'special' bulk ingredient for PrimeStore MTM that they can produce. I was also pleased to learn that Longhorn had recently trained the formulation team at EKF for the production of new ATM product, for which a notable increase in tube and filling capacity is likely to be required!

And I also found EKF's Rebekah Stibbs recent comment that "people will look back and wonder why health systems ever used viral transport methods that required samples containing a live virus to be sent around countries and sent to labs", very interesting (and actually struck a chord with my thinking!).

Anyway, readers will get the drift that VTM is a very large and sustainable business, that perhaps offers opportunity beyond just the near term pandemic (which will probably result in being endemic, with hot spots/outbreaks). Not to mention the annual flu seasons and future pandemic preparedness.

[wan] 24/10/2020 08:52

Edit - which is then directly added to the test cassette.

[wan] 24/10/2020 08:33

Edit to above post to mention BBI

[wan] 24/10/2020 08:11

Antigen testing news -

To align with my previous posts/thoughts etc, that the saliva sample could be via a swab (from around the inside of the mouth) and then inserted into a solution, which is then directly added to the test cassette. And that this would provide an easier sample to take from certain patients e.g. very young children, very elderly or frail/ill patients etc. In other words, there would be limited, if any restrictions, as to who could take the test.

Fwiw, I think that this could be the most likely and 'preferred' option for population testing. Importantly, those who test positive will still need to provide a sample to complete a laboratory-based PCR test to confirm the result.

24th October 2020
Rapid Covid tests that deliver results in 15 minutes could be available for as little as £5

Unlike other tests which involve an uncomfortable probe into the nose, users can simply swab the inside of their mouths and mix the sample in a solution.

Full story -


Is this the point of care test that Longhorn tantalisingly referred to? Time will of course tell, but if it's Avacta's test, then the involvement of Cytiva (ultimately Danaher), not to mention BBI (long term EKF holders will get this possibly only tentative connection), fits with the hints from Longhorn regarding the involvement of a global diagnostics company.

Regardless, the process of the swab taken from inside of the mouth and then putting the swab into a sample solution, indicates where Longhorns new PrimeStore ATM product, that EKF have been trained for, is likely to fit into the global roll-out of antigen testing.

[rivaldo] 23/10/2020 14:55

Good to see the bid price up to 65p now.

[btgman] 23/10/2020 14:33

It is looking like EKF are seeing very significant demand for Primestore remember every order after 1st October currently isn't included in any projections. In my own mind I have EPS as 5p for year end 31.12.20 v 3.3p currently forecast this is looking very achievable. roll on the update. amazed with all these buys the share price isn't moving must gap up very soon

AIMHO
GLA
BTG

[wan] 23/10/2020 14:06

Seeing as you ask about Thermo Fisher (TF), I am aware of TF's ultimate plans for manufacturing expansion of viral transport media (VTM) in Scotland (and the US)-

8th October 2020
Thermo Fisher Scientific expands COVID-19 response by adding manufacturing capacity for sample collection products in Europe

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced it will significantly expand capacity for specialised sample collection products in Perth, given the significant demand for COVID-19 testing.

The added capacity and increased efficiencies will allow the company to scale production in Perth to more than 8 million filled tubes per week. This is in addition to the 8 million tubes produced per week at Thermo Fisher’s new manufacturing site in Lenexa, Kansas, US.

Full story -


Clearly demonstrating that TF see a lasting effect from the pandemic on their VTM business. And in any regard that VTM is big business.

In the US, a division of TF already sells PrimeStore MTM and I posted recently that Longhorn had been training all the Fisher Healthcare sales team over recent weeks in all things PrimeStore MTM and PrimeStore ATM ahead of the flu season and to continue to support the SARS-CoV-2 testing. Make of that what you will!

[epicsurf] 23/10/2020 13:25

Thermo fischer have been awarded £5 million pound contract to supply testing kits to nhs Scotland , would anyone have a indepth knowledge if they maybe could be potential primestore mtm
Collection kits? Or not
hxxp://bidstats.uk/tenders/2020/W43/737476669

[wan] 23/10/2020 07:47

Other global diagnostic companies continued to report yesterday and aside from huge revenue increases from COVID-19 testing, continued to report that patient volumes increased throughout the third quarter, as wellness checks and elective testing have bounced back, with the return of patient volumes exceeding expectations.

Two other items have come to mind recently.

The following should start to focus minds in the US -

CMS to cut COVID-19 test pay by 25% for delayed results, labs cry foul
16th October 2020

CMS sees scope for financial incentives to affect turnaround times. Starting in January, CMS will cut its base payment for high-throughput COVID-19 tests to $75. The agency will pay an additional $25, bringing the rate back up to $100, to laboratories that complete a test in under two calendar days and have a monthly average turnaround time of two calendar days or less for all patients, not just those on Medicare.
Full story -

The attributes of PrimeStore MTM streamlines the testing process and cuts costs by eliminating cold chain requirement and need for Category 3 facilities, as testing can take place outside of containment. Furthermore, PrimeStore MTM can be tested for both COVID-19 and influenza from a single sample.

The second was a comment from the Midas article that stated, when referring to the UK, that "the group is moving to a new site to increase capacity". I have not seen any reference to this previously (unless I missed it or it's a typo), but it is another positive indication of the level of demand/interest EKF are receiving.

If demand is as durable as I think it could be (not just for COVID-19), then one wonders if there might also be a rationale for the core bulk ingredient to be manufactured closer to the UK/European market (not just assembly of the device/kit).

[tongosti] 22/10/2020 18:50

6x avg daily volumes traded today - nice one and bodes well.

[wan] 22/10/2020 10:21

Hopefully, PrimeStore ATM will have utility across a wide range antigen tests, but it might also be able to provide specific utility to certain tests.

[wan] 22/10/2020 10:09

This has been on my mind for some time and can only be considered as a bit of speculation/food for thought from me(and is a copy and paste of my post on another BB today) -

Pulling together my recent short interjections (I am not looking to spend too much time on here) -

I believe that a lateral flow test could potentially work better if the saliva sample provides enhanced sensitivity via a solution that has been designed to improve and enhance rapid antigen testing (as well as making it safer). It is this type of solution that will be applied to the cassette i.e. not direct saliva.

In my post 14,939 - What I have noted with the Cytiva/Avacta test (amongst other things) is that it also involves a saliva collection tube and a transfer pipette, which implies to me the sample is likely to be a swab taken from inside the mouth and then inserted into a tube with special liquid before being transferred to the cassette/cartridge.

Post 14,862 - Affimers have a very good chance of being proven in diagnostics. From what I understand, saliva is a challenging sample to work with, so I am hopeful this is where Affimers will excel, because saliva testing would be very suited to population-based screening. A bit more patience is required.

So, food for thought; a sample solution that has been designed to improve and enhance rapid antigen testing and robust molecules to find/attach to the target protein. That could potentially be an excellent combination! A bit more patience still required.

[freedosh] 22/10/2020 10:08

Straight forward cash generating machine. I see little risk so I joined you folks this morning to add to my NCYT and SNG portfolio.
Won't post a lot but will keep an eye on things.

[diviincomesearch] 22/10/2020 08:59

Presuming the U.K. order is the £1.2mn order noted a couple of days ago.

Progress anyway- should continue as this pandemic drags on!

[malcolmmm] 22/10/2020 08:43

Also own ORPH nice to see this one on the rise

[tongosti] 22/10/2020 08:23

Opened a position first thing this morning following the good update. Let's see what the next few days and weeks will have now in store for us. Good luck all.

[btgman] 22/10/2020 08:16

3 weeks in to this quarter and we already have 2 new customers and 2 new orders neither of these are factored in to the forecasts for year end with a further 10 weeks of the quarter to go. EKF is turning in to a very profitable company

AIMHO
GLA
BTG

[wan] 22/10/2020 07:50

While over in the US, large orders of PrimeStore MTM are being shipped daily -
9 hours ago
Another truckload of #PrimeStore MTM on the move to help safely collect, transport and process SARS-CoV-2 samples by qPCR. Safe inactivated samples providing quality RNA for testing and biobanking. Thank you to our production, sales channel and transportation partners and especially all of our clients! More being made and shipped daily.

[wan] 22/10/2020 07:44

Indeed, very good news today of 'initial' orders in England and Ireland.

I am highlighting initial, because it implies more orders are in the pipeline, and I had noted that further future contracts for sample collection consumables were up for tender, including one for antigen sample collection consumables, all described as "This notice describes a possible future purchase." Time will tell!

Staying with the expected strong Q4 performance, yesterday several large global diagnostic players reported that, aside from huge growth in their COVID-19 testing revenues, the continued recovery and improving performance of their core businesses, including some area's of growth. What was also notable was the increasing confidence in revenues from COVID-19 testing and performance of their core businesses extending into 2021.

This adds further weight to EKF's confidence and the previous statement regarding a notable recovery in their core business-

"A significantly improved performance in the core business based on October orders underpins the Board’s confidence of an H2 recovery. This, combined with continued orders for the PrimeStore MTM COVID-19 sample collection device, means that October is expected to be a record month for EKF in terms of revenues and profits."

All while we wait patiently for further details and confirmation of initial orders for PrimeStore ATM.