Novacyt's Covid-19 diagnostic test gets OK for WHO procurement

Biotech group Novacyt said its Covid-19 diagnostic test had been deemed eligible for procurement under the World Health Organisation's Emergency Use Listing process.

The test, developed by the firm's molecular diagnostics division in Southampton, will be eligible for procurement for one year - unless circumstances dictate otherwise, Novacyt said on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, the AIM-listed firm announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca, GSK and the University of Cambridge to support the UK's national effort to increase Covid-19 testing

A new testing laboratory will be set up at the university's Anne McLaren laboratory for high throughput screening and to explore the use of alternative chemical reagents for test kits in order to help overcome current supply shortages.

As of 1115 BST, Novacyt shares had surged 18.38% to 254.52p.