TIDMNCYT
RNS Number : 4677I
Novacyt S.A.
14 December 2020
Novacyt S.A.
("Novacyt", the "Company" or the "Group")
Development of three tests for new strains of COVID-19 and avian
influenza
Paris, France and Camberley, UK - 14 December 2020 - Novacyt
(EURONEXT GROWTH: ALNOV; AIM: NCYT), an international specialist in
clinical diagnostics, announces the launch of its research-use-only
(RUO) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for a new strain of
COVID-19 and the development of two new RUO PCR tests for avian
influenza following recent outbreaks across Europe.
COVID-19
Further to the announcement on 16 November 2020, Novacyt has
launched the first RUO PCR test for a specific new mutation of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, known as Y453F. Originally found in mink in
Denmark and The Netherlands, the Y453F mutation quickly spread to
humans and has also been detected outside of Europe(1) .
The mutation is of potential concern to scientists and
clinicians as it causes an amino acid change which affects antibody
binding. The Company believes this could have implications for
vaccine strategies, which are predicated on stimulating a defined
antibody response to the virus(2) . While it is unknown what, if
any, impact the amino acid modification will have on vaccines,
Novacyt believes a RUO test could help scientists and clinicians to
identify patients that carry the virus with the Y453F mutation.
Should a clinical need arise for the diagnostic differentiation of
Y453F from other strains of COVID-19 infection, Novacyt is well
positioned to offer this as a clinical use diagnostic product. The
RUO product is immediately available to order.
1 https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/RRA-SARS-CoV-2-in-mink-12-nov-2020.pdf
2 https://files.ssi.dk/Mink-cluster-5-short-report_AFO2
Avian influenza
Novacyt has also taken the strategic decision to develop two new
RUO PCR tests for avian influenza amid recent outbreaks. The
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has announced
that since October 2020, multiple European countries, including the
UK and France, have reported outbreaks for highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI) viruses. Three different subtypes of HPAI viruses
have been identified in wild birds and poultry, including A(H5N8),
A(H5N5) and A(H5N1), with A(H5N8) being the most common.
Given the expected movements of both migratory and resident wild
birds in Europe during winter, there is a high risk of further
spread of the HPAI A(H5) viruses, in particular to poultry(3) .
This has already been seen in the UK, resulting in the culling of
thousands of turkeys with the H5N8 strain, including in North
Yorkshire and West Norfolk.
While no human infection due to these viruses has so far been
detected and the threat to the general population is currently low,
continued surveillance of avian influenza viruses in Europe is
important to monitor virus evolution and emergence(3) . As a
result, Novacyt has developed two RUO PCR tests to assist in the
current outbreaks. These include a test to detect all HPAI A(H5)
subtypes and a test designed to confirm the specific presence of
the HPAI A(H5N8) subtype, which has been at the centre of the
current outbreaks. Both tests can be run on the Company's mobile
PCR testing instruments, q16 and q32, as well as on central
laboratory-based PCR machines. Both RUO products are immediately
available to order.
3
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/avian-influenza-overview-November-update.pdf
Graham Mullis , Chief Executive Officer of Novacyt,
commented:
"Novacyt has long been at the forefront of rapidly developing
tests to assist with the diagnosis and monitoring of emerging
infectious disease threats. We continue to demonstrate this market
intelligence and expertise with the development of these new RUO
products to support scientists and clinicians around the world, as
well as expanding our portfolio."
Contacts
Novacyt SA
Graham Mullis, Chief Executive Officer
Anthony Dyer, Chief Financial Officer
+44 (0)1276 600081
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser and
Broker)
Matthew Johnson / Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance)
Vadim Alexandre / Rob Rees (Corporate Broking)
+44 (0)20 3470 0470
Numis Securities Limited (Joint Broker)
Freddie Barnfield / James Black
+44 (0)20 7260 1000
Allegra Finance (French Listing Sponsor)
Rémi Durgetto / Yannick Petit
+33 (1) 42 22 10 10
r.durgetto@allegrafinance.com / y.petit@allegrafinance.com
FTI Consulting (International)
Victoria Foster Mitchell / Alex Shaw / Mary Whittow
+44 (0)20 3727 1000
victoria.fostermitchell@fticonsulting.com /
alex.shaw@fticonsulting.com / mary.whittow@fticonsulting.com
FTI Consulting (France)
Arnaud de Cheffontaines
+33 (0)147 03 69 48
arnaud.decheffontaines@fticonsulting.com
About Novacyt Group
The Novacyt Group is an international diagnostics business
generating an increasing portfolio of in vitro and molecular
diagnostic tests. Its core strengths lie in diagnostics product
development, commercialisation, contract design and manufacturing.
The Company's lead business units comprise of Primerdesign and
Lab21 Products, supplying an extensive range of high quality assays
and reagents worldwide. The Group directly serves microbiology,
haematology and serology markets as do its global partners, which
include major corporates.
For more information please refer to the website:
www.novacyt.com
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