EKF Diagnostics signs distribution deal with Tosoh Europe

Point-of-care company EKF Diagnostics has signed a three-year distribution agreement with Tosoh Europe, part of chemical supply and specialty materials company Tosoh Corporation, for the distribution of its ‘Quo-Test’ HbA1c Analyzer in the Middle East and Africa.

The AIM-traded firm said its Quo-Test product is a fully automated desktop HbA1c, or glycated hemoglobin, analyser that provides HbA1c measurement for monitoring and managing diabetes in a point-of-care setting, such as diabetes clinics and doctors' surgeries.

It said the sample results are available within four minutes from a four microliter sample taken from a finger prick or venous whole blood.

Instructions displayed on the Quo-Test analyser's multilingual display would reduce staff training time to a minimum, the firm explained, eliminating the opportunity for user-related errors.

The Tosoh bioscience division is one of the largest global manufacturers of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipment for glycated hemoglobin analysis, offering scalable solutions primarily in core laboratories.

Tosoh Europe had seen a growing need for point-of-care HbA1c analysis alongside their traditional laboratory market, and identified EKF Diagnostics as an “important partner” to work with to provide that to their customers, the board said.

The agreement would allow both EKF and Tosoh Europe to work in markets they had previously been unable to access, and provides Tosoh Europe with the opportunity to offer new services to suit changing customer requirements.

After the initial three-year term for the Middle East and Africa, the agreement would have a rolling one-year renewal with the option to extend the agreement into EU countries as required.

“We are delighted to partner with Tosoh Europe as they expand their need for point-of-care analysis in a time where those suffering from diabetes are at greater risk,” said chief executive officer Julian Baines.

“This new agreement continues to strengthen the position of our core business and gives us the opportunity to move into new territories with a strong partner.

“We hope to build a successful working partnership with Tosoh Europe and look forward to extending the agreement into additional markets.”

At 1515 BST, shares in EKF Diagnostics were up 0.74% at 41p.