(Alliance News) - Concepta PLC on Wednesday said it has launched a Covid-19 genomic testing kit, and the myLotus pregnancy test maker also outlined plans for a name change.
Shares in Concepta jumped 32% to 2.12 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.
The healthcare company and fertility tracking firm launched a DNA testing service under the MyHealthChecked brand, in the wake of Concepta's acquisition of Genome Store Ltd, announced in November.
Concepta parted with an initial GBP280,000 to buy the home-use genetic testing company, plus a deferred consideration of up to GBP240,000.
The company said the test will be a "COVID-19 lab-based PCR test".
"The MyHealthChecked Covid-19 testing service will use the Clarigene SARS-CoV-2 test supplied by Yourgene Health PLC and the PrimeStore MTM sample collection device supplied by EKF Diagnostic Holdings PLC," Concepta added.
"The MyHealthChecked testing service allows samples to be quickly and conveniently taken at home using simple nasal collection swabs which are then sent via free postage for processing using established laboratory-based DNA and RNA detection methods."
Looking ahead, Concepta said it plans to launch a "number of DNA tests", in fields such as male and female wellness and food intolerance.
"Our priority is to look beyond the pandemic with a range of affordable, meaningful at-home test kits, but it would be remiss of us - now with the expertise and operational channel in-house - not to make this kit available to the public," Concepta Chief Executive Officer Penny McCormick said.
The company added that the "requirement for at home testing kits is expected to continue", despite promising news on the vaccine front.
The UK government on Wednesday said it has authorised Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE's Covid-19 vaccine, becoming the first country in the world to give the jab the green light.
In changes that will take effect in "due course" Concepta said its name will change to MyHealthChecked PLC.
By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
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Ekf Diagnostics (EKF)