The latest Investing Matters Podcast episode featuring Jeremy Skillington, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma has just been released. Listen here.
Steve Alperin says there is an "industrial revolution" going on in biotech - and discusses the part mRNA technology, which is behind some #COVID19 vaccines, could play in treating cancer.
.https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1357370265991327744
https://twitter.com/VoxPodcast/status/1273232418317746179?s=20
Interesting take from Vadim Alexandre around 30 minutes in.
Who would potentially be on NCYT list to merge with? OptiGene, Genedrive?
Not sure why this is a big deal.
They scale up was meant to be for 8,000,000
They've managed to work hard enough to source enough for 10,000,000.
Probably so they can have stock for the inevitable new increase in orders as our reputation is growing quicker than we can physically produce.
This is a good news story.
Positive news today in that we are releasing two high throughput tests.
ExSig Direct - The one we knew about.
ExSig Mag - Using the traditional extraction free RNA method with the use of magnetic beads.
This is fantastic news for the company and investors.
Launch looks to have been put back a couple of weeks, but no big deal. I imagine the test is currently undergoing trials with AstraZeneca at Cambridge and Alderley Park.
Thanks Parkez, read that a couple of weeks ago very interesting isn't it. We are lucky to be a leader in testing that we will be able to roll this out to the masses and get this test in hands across the globe.
Going to make a real difference I feel.
Hi VanV,
The detail is great to allow him to see the bigger picture, but can you just also re-inforce to him the "headlines" for today's news.
I.e UK based firm supplying NHS with 40,000 a day. Rising to 70,000 on opening of Cambridge lab = 70% of Matt Hanc0ck testing target is coming from Novacyt alone.
Just seen this point made on twitter and it's true.
70,000 tests a day to the UK alone.
When Cambridge lab opens next week, Novacyt will be supplying 70% of the UK's daily target of 100,000 a day.
Expect this to land tomorrow. Look at the direct quotes below from assistant to director general at the WHO.
WHO, in a statement posted on its website, said the move should help increase access to quality-assured, accurate tests for the disease.
“It also means that the tests can now be supplied by the United Nations and other procurement agencies supporting the COVID-19 response.
“Both in vitro diagnostics, the tests are genesig Real-Time PCR Coronavirus (COVID-19) and cobas SARS-CoV-2 Qualitative assay for use on the cobas® 6800/8800 Systems. “
The emergency use listing of these products will enable countries to increase testing with quality assured diagnostics.
“Facilitating access to accurate tests is essential for countries to address the pandemic with the best tools possible,” says Dr Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Medicines and Health Products The Emergency Use Listing procedure (EUL) was established to expedite the availability of diagnostics needed in public health emergency situations.
Remember what lies ahead in May
1) Direct-to-PCR extraction (notice that the media are now picking up on this... see below from Proactive Investors today)
Novacyt PLC (LON:NCYT) has been one of the pioneers in swab testing, launching the first kit in February, followed by a second one, designed to deliver faster results, in March. It is manufacturing 4mln tests per month. It is also developing a new test that does not require certain extraction reagents which are lacking throughout the market.
2) Ramp up in manufacture to 8 million tests a month
3) Cambridge lab running at full tilt, 30,000 tests a day. Involvement in Alderly Park, Milton Keynes through our partnership with AZ.
4) Additional third party manufacture agreements.
5) WHO Orders (details to follow...)
More sales coming our way then...
Private-sector tests are sold by major pharmaceutical firms such as Hoffmann-La Roche, Abbott Laboratories and others (JUST SAY NOVACYT!) Commercial laboratories and academic institutions, such as the Crick Institute in London, largely use commercially available tests and not the PHE test.
The company is no doubt in regular contact with the NOMAD and I expect an update on the US market to land soon.
As investors, we should always be looking ahead, further than the next RNS.
The month of May looks to be a busiest month to date with France commencing national screening program and the Cambridge 'super lab' to open with our new "direct-to-PCR" extraction method being launched and manufacturing DOUBLING to 2m a week / 8m a month