Expansion of Coronavirus Test Manufacturing Capacity Announced

Novacyt is pleased to provide an update regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) test developed by Primerdesign, its molecular diagnostics division based in the UK.
 
As of today, Primerdesign has sold and received orders for over £8.7 million (€9.6 million) of its CE-Mark and research use only (RUO) COVID-19 tests. This represents approximately 18 months of total sales for the division under normal circumstances and already exceeds the total sales achieved by Primerdesign in 2019. All Novacyt staff and the company’s recently appointed manufacturing partner are working at full capacity to fulfil this demand.
 
The company has a very strong sales pipeline, which continues to change daily. However, the company is unable to predict with any certainty the conversion rate of these ongoing enquiries into orders. Notwithstanding this, given the significant level of sales achieved in the past two weeks, the company confirms it is taking further action to increase its manufacturing capacity.
 
On 12 March, the company announced its investment plans for raw materials and the appointment of a third-party manufacturer to support demand of approximately 2 million COVID-19 tests per month. Novacyt can confirm that it is making good progress with this supplier and expects the first batches of product to be delivered to customers from this manufacturer in the next week, with output expected to increase significantly by the end of the month. In addition, the company has purchased additional raw materials so that it is now able to produce more than 5 million COVID-19 tests and will constantly review this during the next few weeks.
 
The company also announces it is in advanced discussions with a second third-party manufacturer, based in the UK, in order to further expand manufacturing capacity. Having three independent manufacturing sites also enables the company to de-risk its own supply chain in the event that COVID-19 disrupts manufacturing operations.
 
Graham Mullis, Chief Executive Officer of Novacyt, commented: “Earlier this month, I reported we were seeing unprecedented interest and demand for our COVID-19 test. The sales and orders we have achieved in a period of just six weeks supports this statement. I reiterate our view that commercial demand for our COVID-19 test will continue for some months to come. Therefore, the additional steps we are taking to meet this demand are essential to support governments and health providers around the world in tackling this virus.”

More information online: www.novacyt.com