Novacyt signs deals for coronavirus test product

PARIS: Biotechnology company Novacyt on Friday announced deals for its “Primerdesign” product which is aimed at testing for the coronavirus currently afflicting China and other parts of the world.

Novacyt said it had signed its first major distribution agreement for the COVID-19 coronavirus test with a global life sciences company to supply the test to two Asian territories outside mainland China, sending its shares to record highs.

It added that initial sales from this, which are subject to local emergency use approval, were anticipated to total 2.1 million pounds ($2.73 million) in the first six months of the agreement.

Novacyt also announced a manufacturing deal with an unnamed US healthcare company.

“The two contracts announced today reinforce how quickly the response to this virus is developing and shows our commitment to support these efforts anywhere in the world,” Novacyt CEO Graham Mullis said.

Novacyt’s progress in its coronavirus test product has lifted the company’s shares - which are quoted on both the Paris and London markets - to record highs.

The stock was up by around 20% in early trade in Paris, and the company’s stock price has surged more than 800% on the Paris market since the start of 2020.

Most of the testing on the coronavirus is being done by public health laboratories, but many companies around the world - such as Novacyt and others - are working on tests.