Clinical diagnostics firm, Novacyt (AIM:NCYT) , says it has seen “unprecedented interest” in its coronavirus diagnostic test which the group launched a week ago.
The biotechnology company says it has applied for emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to roll-out the ‘nCoV’ test.
The company reported that its subsidiary, Primerdesign, has already received 33,000 test orders whilst requests have been made for quotations for a further 32,000 tests from over 20 countries.
The Directors say they believe Novacyt, which is listed in both Paris and London, is well placed to support the growing global demand for nCoV testing.
“As one of the first companies to develop and launch a test to detect the 2019 strain of nCoV, we have received unprecedented interest in our test and anticipate demand continuing to grow,” said Graham Mullis, Chief Executive of Novacyt.
Shares in Novacyt were trading 19.75% higher at 48.5p during Friday trading.
Stock in Novacyt soared 32% following the launch of its diagnostics test on 31 January, CNBC reported – one day after the WHO declared the outbreak a global emergency.
Meanwhile, the company also revealed plans to launch a CE-Mark approved nCoV test in the week commencing 17 February, whilst discussions are currently underway with various public sector hospitals in the UK.
According to NASDAQ, Novacyt’s Paris-listed shares jumped by around 20% by 8.30 GMT.
“We continue to support our new and existing customers and are working with the various regulatory authorities to try to make our nCoV test available to as many countries and laboratories as possible to support clinicians in reducing the spread of the disease,” added Mullis.
The death toll from coronavirus continued to rise in mainland China, reaching 636, with 73 more deaths recorded as of Thursday, China's National Health Commission said.
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