Member Info for B2HS2L

Kaeren, just liked your post 6 times...
GM forward thinking was mandatory, and he might not have bought if all the ducks weren't in a row,
however security of supply is now safeguarded.
The local company I think is best placed to assist with production is below:

https://www.labmanautomation.com/expertise/instrument-development/

Take a really good look at this, I believe this company is related because one or two IT-IS staff have worked here,
and although it looks mostly R&D and bespoke projects, the manufacture tab states "Large-scale manufacturing and QC"

Hi Shaun, - re your question, What level do you think Graham would like the production level to be, perhaps a thousand per month?

I don't have a maximum figure in mind, because if UK shows the way in fast mobile PCR testing, RoW orders will follow, with exponential demand.

What is clear is that the IT-IS Stokesley facility are completely inadequate (according to google maps) for large scale increases in production, - extra production will need to be outsourced.
A local company that I believe IT-IS has a long established working relationship with, might have facilities available for a new production line, but I guess GM would have some of the required answers before buying the IT-IS.

This really is a wait and see moment.

More research on IT-IS.
https://www.rishisunak.com/news/rishi-visits-technological-frontline-battle-against-covid-19
It would seem that they do manufacture as the above suggests, butit is not a large company.

Great find Wilson lots of info.

Liked the Czech Eligene test, and noted that it claimed 'Increased sensitivity and specificity due to amplification of 3 independent SARS-CoV-2 targets in a single PCR reaction."

"Special Technology developed in EU by Elisabeth Pharmacon viral isolation kits".

The KH Medical test has received CE-IVD marking, and is for use with Nasal Swabs or Sputum.

Thanks also to Larry and Gasman.

Just to give an indication of global presence for the MYGOPRO brand, wholly owned by IT-IS:

From http://www.mygopcr.com/

MYGO DISTRIBUTORS:

3 Distributors in Malaysia, and Turkey.

2 Distributors in Argentina, Australia, Singapore, Thailand.

1 Distributor in each of :
Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Rep, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Lithuania,

Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua NG, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,

Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Tunisia, UAE, USA, Vietnam

Test message display

Hi Shaun, - You have been looking for private clinics & test centres that are using Primerdesign tests.
Below is a link to a new test centre:

https://www.coronatestcentre.com/products/covid-19-pcr-test?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkKaIlv_c7AIVCYBQBh2wPQ5DEAAYASAAEgKcu_D_BwE

The evidence is on the Example 'Certificate of Results' document.
Thanks for collating the info.

wrt Takeover, at the bottom of page 16 of the spreadsheet, there is an entry for "Protection from foreign takeovers", two links to the British and French Govnts providing safeguards against foreign ownership of Novacyt and other 'jewels in the crown'.

This was in response to the following last march:
Trump 'offers large sums' for exclusive US access to coronavirus vaccine

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/15/trump-offers-large-sums-for-exclusive-access-to-coronavirus-vaccine

EXMEX - What is your understanding of a related party transaction.
Is that a supplier, or a partner, or something else?

I found an office on Cork, but I think that office is now closed:
IT-IS Life Science Ltd
Bldg 1000, Units 1201 & 1202, City Gate, Mahon, Cork, T12 W7CV, Republic of Ireland
contact@itislifescience.com +353 21 601 0371
Building 1000, 2nd Floor, City Gate, Mahon Cork, 999937. Company No: IE479057

Shaun, - Before Germany was identified as a major customer, this item appeared in a 12 March RNS:
"Paris, France and Camberley, UK - 12 March 2020 - Novacyt (EURONEXT GROWTH: ALNOV; AIM: NCYT), an international specialist in clinical diagnostics, is pleased to provide an update regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) test developed by Primerdesign, its molecular diagnostics division, and announces it has invested in a significant increase in manufacturing capacity to support the growing demand for its COVID-19 test.

As of 11 March 2020, Primerdesign has sold and received orders for over £2.3 million (€2.6 million) of its CE-Mark and research use only (RUO) COVID-19 tests, which represents approximately five months of sales for the division under normal circumstances. This is additional revenue to the core Novacyt business, which has also started the year strongly. In the past two weeks, the number of countries the Company is selling its COVID-19 test into has doubled to over 50, which is expected to increase further as the virus continues to spread. Currently, the Company is seeing significant sales from Europe and from a number of new and existing distribution partners across the Middle East."

Middle East sales have not since featured as larger customers, but I doubt that sales have dwindled.

Libero - Thank you for making the case to sit on your hands until further news arrives so eloquently.

PRB769,
We have both experienced the ease with which MM's can manipulate prices, both now and in the Spring.
It is even easier with only 70million shares in issue I feel, and this won't be the last time drops in the order of 30% have been successful. The more large buyers there are, the more price will tend not to recover before the next large order is filled.
Like sea water entering an erupting volcanic island, news will make a huge difference.
Just Hold, you know it makes sense.

Beg to differ Nixynoo, - Vatel "Aint seen nothing yet".
They will be close enough to GM to understand there is much more to come so no panic.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/coronavirus-government-throwing-lit-match-into-a-haystack-by-discharging-covid-patients-to-care-homes/ar-BB1arSA3?ocid=msedgdhp

This isn't the way forward, - but will trigger more testing.

Hi Shaun,
wrt q16 / q32 subcontract manufacture.

It may be the case that a large increase in output is required, which means current facility is too small.
That would make the decision to outsource easier.
Address is 1 Wainstones Court Stokesley Business Park, Stokesley, Middlesborough, TS9 5JY.
I plugged the post code into google maps, and I think what comes up is inadequate, - what do you think?

Done the same for the Dublin Address: IT-IS Life Science Ltd
148, Richmond Road, Dublin 3 DO3W2H1

Was directed to a map with link below:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/148+Richmond+Rd,+Fionnradharc,+Baile+%C3%81tha+Cliath+3,+D03+W2H1,+Ireland/@53.3654473,-6.2494273,335m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48670e66515ba52b:0xe7aed634c22f268d!8m2!3d53.3654473!4d-6.2487766

Still nowhere near big enough, and does not confirm IT-IS live there.

This leads me to think that the manufacturing is already sub-contracted.
What are your thoughts on this?

Hillseeker, - They are providing support to foreign purchasers of instruments now, and one of the benefits of q16 / q32 use with Primerdesign assay is that the whole process is quick and simple.
I know we are planning to make it simpler yet, so I'm confident that computer based training and use of Zoom etc can successfully train those hospital staff who have never set foot in a laboratory, and I take your point about the new assay under development.

Hillseeker re your 17:07 post
"My only reservation about international sales is this: In the UK, Novacyt are building an army of reps/specialist who are able to go into hospitals and support. I assume they will at first train the hospital personnel and then periodically visit to ensure the machines are being used effectively. They will, in time, then look at using these visits to explain other tests that can be used on the machines and expand their repertoire of sales to a more sustainable model that will set the company up well into the future."

++++

wrt International sales:

IMO one of the reasons IT-IS has been bought is because it's production output of q16 / q32 instruments was not likely to meet the number of orders GM was needing to place.
My feeling is the UK authorities wanted to order 1000 instruments, but had to settle for a 2 stage delivery deal.

To furnish the 300 now / 700 later order, I'm guessing worst case that GM may have had to redirect or defer some instrument deliveries destined for foreign buyers.
If that has happened, that would not be good business, but buying the company to urgently invest in more efficient production facilities, - (and incentivising the previous directors to do this) - is the next best thing, and secures the supply chain by stopping competitors buying IT-IS.

If we keep looking for job adverts for IT-IS / Primerdesign / Novacyt production staff in Middlesborough, (or perhaps Dublin), we will expect an increase in number of instruments shortly.
The past directors will be best placed to know how to achieve increased output, as they will have been looking at this problem for a while.
Another way of increasing output is to contract a manufacturer, in the same way that Assay production has been contracted out, but you don't need to incentivise past directors if that is to happen.

I just feel current output is nowhere near satisfactory for GM's needs, and it will be international sales that will be hit until production ramps up.

Currently, Mullis and Dyer are still the only 2 named directors of IT-IS on Companies House website.

It would not surprise me if a German order was Kosher.

1 There are very few Winterplex tests on the market presently

2 The Winterplex product was developed in answer to a British test requirement, to Triage hospital entrants to separate Flu and RSV patients from Covid patients.

3 All other Northern Hemisphere govnts would be aware of the imminent arrival of the Flu virus(es), and would have had the same requirement.

4 Now there is likely to be a bunfight, because there are so many govnts seeking Winterplex, and so few manufacturers selling it.

5 All this at a time when II's want to invest, so fewer and fewer shares are available.

Germany is just trying to get their order in ASAP, but by Friday, we may have evidence that many other govnts are also trying to place Winterplex orders pronto.

We may also have evidence that Germany has not been as fast to order as other govnts.

France looks likely to order soon.

Pressure may mount to get NCYT to license manufacture if few Winterplex competing products become available.

Plenty of fun and games ahead I think, all tending to place a bunsen burner under the sp.

Gasman on twitter just posted this potential gamechanger for the entire biochem industry.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/24/how-a-digital-breakthrough-could-revolutionize-drug-industry.html?__source=sharebar|twitter&par=sharebar

https://twitter.com/gasman2020/status/1320274583128297472/photo/1

I think it will really speed up assay development when libraries of 'recipe's' are available.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/covid_testing_contract_details

Details a request for information from DHSC ref Primerdesign tests.

The response (https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/683425/response/1635827/attach/3/FOI%201247298%20Dean.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1) verifies that the answer to Q3 only refers to COVID H-T assay.

I think Mr Dean got short changed..