MyHealthChecked signs second supply deal with Boots

Consumer home-testing healthcare company MyHealthChecked has signed a second contract with Boots UK to supply its at-home Covid-19 nasal swab kit, laboratory testing service and logistics for day two and day eight coronavirus testing for international arrivals, it announced on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said the contract with Boots for the testing service would run parallel, and be complementary, to its existing agreement announced on 6 April.

It said MyHealthChecked was currently the only at-home polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing kit provider within Boots for general testing and ‘Fit-to-Fly’ services, launched on 7 April.

The expanded offering to include day two and day eight tests would be available to purchase online from 17 May.

It said the testing kit would allow customers to take a nasal swab at home and send samples to be tested using established laboratory-based PCR detection methods.

Day two and day eight testing was being undertaken at the Manchester-based laboratories of MyHealthChecked and Yourgene Health, with any sequencing required for positive day two samples that meet the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) sequencing criteria undertaken at Yourgene.

PCR results were provided to customers in 24 to 48 hours via a secure online portal.

The company said the agreement was on a non-exclusive basis and had an initial term of 12 months from 17 May, with a one-month notice period for termination thereafter.

It said the contract was expected to have a “significant impact” on the future performance of the business, and while volumes were as yet unquantified, the board said it believed it was likely to result in “substantial” revenue growth in the current financial year ending 31 December.

“This is another milestone for MyHealthChecked as currently Boots' only at-home testing kit provider for Covid-19, and we are delighted to build on our pre-existing agreement as the nation begins to open up and we anticipate the possibility of travel with the introduction of the traffic light system,” said chief executive officer Penny McCormick.

“The day two and day eight contract is a testament to the service that MyHealthChecked provides as we pride ourselves on the quality and accuracy of our tests, as well as our operations and customer service.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Boots and while it is still in its infancy, we hope to update the market imminently as we deliver on this contract.”

At 1126 BST, shares in MyHealthChecked were up 11.9% at 4.7p.