EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC COVID-19 related manufacturing capacity update (0479L)
April 28 2020 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMEKF
RNS Number : 0479L
EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC
28 April 2020
This announcement contains inside information
for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014
(MAR)
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc
("EKF", the "Company" or the "Group")
COVID-19 related manufacturing capacity update
UK production line to be established for PrimeStore MTM sample
collection kits
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM quoted
point-of-care business, announces that further to yesterday's
announcement regarding the significant increase in manufacturing
demand for the PrimeStore MTM sample collection device, the Company
is in the final stages of establishing a UK production line at the
Company's facilities in Penarth, South Wales, which could produce
12,500 sample collection tubes a day. Devices made at this site
will be used in the UK.
Global demand for the PrimeStore MTM device has increased
significantly due to COVID-19. The PrimeStore MTM sample collection
device, deactivates viruses, bacteria, fungi and mycobacterium
tuberculosis allowing safe sample handling and transport, greatly
reducing risk of infection. The device was invented in 2006 in
preparation for a worldwide pandemic and is designed to de-activate
pathogen rapidly and stabilise the RNA for up to four weeks with no
requirement for cold storage. In the case of COVID-19, by
inactivating the virus testing can now take place outside of
containment facilities opening up capacity in more testing
laboratories.
The Company expects to ship first products from the new
production line in Penarth in mid-May, if not sooner, and will
provide further updates to shareholders as appropriate. Following
the successful establishment of the production line in Wales, the
Company will look to increase manufacturing capacity for the
PrimeStore MTM device further, via its two sites in Germany. This
will increase the capacity to supply sample collection devices into
mainland Europe.
The establishment of the production line will see EKF increase
staffing levels at the Penarth facility with 12 temporary
contracts, with these positions being filled by local workers,
recently out of work due to the impact of the pandemic or on leave
from their studies.
Commenting, Julian Baines, CEO of EKF Diagnostics, said: "We are
very pleased to be supporting international efforts to monitor and
limit the spread of Coronavirus globally. The newly established
production line in South Wales will help us to meet the growing
demand for these sample collection kits, to ensure that COVID-19
samples can be handled and transported without the need for
expensive refrigeration or fear of contamination.
"Whilst the majority of these kits that we make are being sold
and used in volume across the US, the sample collection kits are
currently under review for use in the UK and our new manufacturing
capability in Penarth will allow us to readily supply an effective
tool for supporting the ramp up in COVID-19 testing which is
urgently needed in the UK."
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc www.ekfdiagnostics.com
Christopher Mills, Non-executive Chairman Tel: +44 (0) 29 2071 0570
Julian Baines, CEO
Richard Evans, FD & COO
N+1 Singer Tel: 020 7496 3000
Aubrey Powell / George Tzimas (Corporate
Finance)
Tom Salvesen (Corporate Broking)
Walbrook PR Limited Tel: +44 (0) 20 7933 8780 or ekf@walbrookpr.com
Paul McManus / Lianne Cawthorne Mob: +44 (0) 7980 541 893 / +44 (0) 7584
391 303
About EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc ( www.ekfdiagnostics.com
)
EKF is a leading point-of-care diagnostics and central
laboratory assay manufacturer with an estimated 80,000 hemoglobin,
hematocrit, HbA1c, glucose and lactate analyzers in regular use
across more than 100 countries. EKF specializes in developing tests
for use in anemia and diabetes diagnosis and management, as well as
providing a as well as providing Central Laboratory &
Lifesciences services in the area of clinical chemistry, small lab
analysers, contract fermentation, enzyme manufacturing and
specialised contract manufacturing.
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END
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