DITCHPIG
- 30 Apr 2004 15:09




UBS AG buy 8,825,000 6.7% |
FDA clearance for Cystic Fibrosis DNA Test |
Sales of the eSensor instrument and CF test will commence in the first half of 2006 as planned.. . James White, CEO of Osmetech said: 'Gaining FDA clearance for our first microarray based test developed for our new eSensorTM molecular diagnostics instrument is a major step forward for our Molecular Diagnostics Division and will help to establish Osmetech as a key player in the fast growing moleculardiagnostics market. In addition, this FDA clearance helps to validate our microarray technology for routine use in the laboratory.Critical Care DivisionThe Division has a strong product portfolio and is well placed to continue the growth of instrument placements throughout the world, leading to revenues from proprietary consumables for a number of years to come.Sales of OPTI instruments and consumables remained strong resulting from increased sales of the new touchscreen version of the long-established OPTI (CCA). In 2006 we will start to see an important contribution to sales from the new OPTI LION portable electrolyte analyser and the OPTI R blood gas and electrolyte analyser with reusable consumable as these products are rolled out internationally.' Molecular Diagnostics DivisionFollowing FDA approval of the eSensorTM platform Osmetech are now looking to progress discussions with strategic partners who are looking for cost effective and easy to use instrumentation and consumables to work on other complex assays both in the healthcare and non healthcare markets. The next Osmetech Molecular test targeted for FDA submission will be the CYP 450 pharmacogenomics assay, which is currently in development. James White, CEO of Osmetech commented: 'We have been delighted with the rapid integration of the CMS business acquired in July. The powerful combination of the eSensor product together with OPTI GENE provides Osmetech Molecular Diagnostics with an excellent position in this rapidly developing and growing market sector. Both products remain on schedule for launch and revenue generation in the first half of 2006' |
Sales to year end up over 40% |
Osmetech has reported a strong rise in sales in the latter part of 2005 with growth driven byabove-forecast revenues at its Critical Care blood gas analysis division.. Sales for the Critical Care division in calendar year 2005 exceeded $14.7m, representing an increase of over 60% compared to the calendar year 2004. Approximately half of this overall growth is due to sales to veterinary distribution partner, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. |
Vetstat Exceeds Idexx Expectations |
Sales of the VetStat electrolyte and blood gas analyser have been very encouraging and continue to exceed expectations. IDEXX's sales successes and continuing marketing efforts should result in further strong growth for the foreseeable future. As the installed base of instruments becomes established, revenues from proprietary consumables are expected to increase as a proportion of this veterinary business. Following a deal with leading US vetinary hopsital chain Banfield, Idexx are contracted to supply an additional 450 Vetstat devices over the coming year.Good progress is also being made with IDEXX on the development and supply contract to create a new platform for measuring critical care parameters based on Osmetech's proprietary optical fluorescence technology and consumables. It is anticipated that this market leading product is on target for launch late 2006/2007. |
Critical Care Product Range - In Production |
Critical Care Consumable Product Range - In Production |
Molecular Diagnostics Product Range - In Production |




Organisation Shareholding % Gartmore 24,109,657 18.29% Schroder 18,874,284 14.32 UBS AG 8,825,000 6.70TD Waterhouse 7,011,137 5.32 Barclays Nom 6,638,092 5.04 Pershing Keen 5,870,773 4.45HSBC Global Nom 6,544,718 4.97 Roche 2,444,688 1.8 Marlborough UK Micro Cap Director Holdings James White 208,092 Gordon Hall 104,966 D Sandilands 61,597 GB Kuenster 33,054 A Marek 26,190 ADVFN Posters 5,896,564 4.5
Total Holdings 86,648,812 65.7% Mouse Over Images For Product Data |


If regular posters would like to be included in the ADVFN figure and if you are not bothered about the figures being public then post your long-term holding here.IE the number of shares you intend to keep for say more than 6 months?Alternatively if you'd rather keep your holdings secret but still want contribute to the overall figure then drop me a line to ditchpig@ntlworld.com
grevis2
- 12 Jul 2005 18:34
- 218 of 242
Osmetech - Speculative buy at 1.875p
Says Bill Johnston, editor of WatsHot.com
Someone wrote to me a while back with intriguing questions about Osmetech (OMH). Was there a stalker seeking to manipulate the share price? To capture that elusive electronic nose just as it sniffed into life? The shares then stood at 2.9p. What was being suggested to him and others was that some individual or group was seeking systematically to create a dispirited ambience so as to allow the assets to change hands, just before a turning in the long trail of losses brought sudden prosperity to the company. I thought that share-price manipulation tended to be cruder, more obvious and shorter-term.
Well, if there is a stalker, he is certainly playing the long game, for he never appeared, the shares are now 1.875p. But what is Osmetech? And where will the next move be?
Former Official List tech-flop Osmetech (the company used to be called AromaScan) moved markets in 2002 and whilst new to AIM, bore many characteristic marks of a certain type of company already quoted there - that of the expensive pursuit of ground-breaking technology in search of those sunlit uplands where the product is in widespread demand and the money starts to pour in. Needless to say all it had done so far was pour out, and been enabled to do so by 17 million pounds in new monies raised in the preceding four years alone. That sum was supplemented by another 5 million pounds raised at 2p per share, an operation which accompanied a move to the alternative market.
When micro-organisms metabolise they emit volatile components that often have a characteristic smell. Osmetech's research had been concentrated on the development of sensors to detect these smells. That four-year period too only referred to the period when the board decided to concentrate on the application of its gas-sensing technology on the area of healthcare, and mostly on highly specific targets at that, eventually deciding to focus upon the diagnosis of urinary tract infections and related conditions; to good effect indeed, as FDA approval had been received in respect of one medical screening device. The company pointed out that the medical disciplines of obstetrics and gynaecology, STD clinics and surgical wards, to say nothing of primary care physicians and general practitioners, comprised the vast market at which the instruments are aimed - worth $100 million in the United States alone.
In order to provide the additional resources to fuel the business towards that longed-for destination of positive cash flow, the burn rate was to be reduced to 200,000 pounds per month, and the usual ritual sacrifice was duly conducted as four directors trudged from the boardroom, leaving the Chief Executive of three years, a former advisor of venture capitalists, a bit more space. His first major move was acquisition of OPTI, a blood-gas analysis business based in the United States but owned by Roche Diagnostics. This was early in 2003, and cost $3.5 million - but Roche put $1 million back into Osmetech for 4.5% of the enlarged equity. OPTI, with a 4,000-strong installation base, was expected to generate $7 million of sales in the 12 months following completion. The assertion was that its cash-generative characteristics would give a two-year payback. Just the same, in October of the same year 2 million pounds more was raised at 3p per share. The following year, September 2004 an all-paper bid in ordinary shares - 3.1 million pounds - was tabled in respect of the acquisition of OFEX-quoted Molecular Sensing PLC. Molecular Sensing develops tools utilising polymerase chain reaction techniques which are expected to be complementary to the expertise of Osmetech.
Interim sales to October 2004 were 2.4 million pounds against the 3.4 million pounds recorded for the previous year, this being partly due to an extraordinary spike in the previous year due to SARS in China, and partly to the weak dollar. The acquisition of Molecular Sensing had seen the cash in the enlarged balance sheet buttressed by almost 2 million pounds, to 3.6 million pounds; whilst the period had produced a 1 million pounds operating loss; and although much stronger trading was expected in the second half, any question of profit was scrupulously avoided. A trading update in May of this year told of sales in that second half (to April) 44% ahead and was grimly positive - but no more.
Then last week came another deal as the company agreed to acquire a US organisation, CMS, from Motorola. CMS is a developer of instruments in the field of genetic diagnostics testing. CMS cost Motorola $280 million ten years ago, when the giant was interested in electrochemical detection. Under the agreement Osmetech has acquired CMS free of debt and free of cash, and Motorola will retain responsibility for and will indemnify Osmetech in respect of other liabilities prior to completion. The consideration is unusual - the issue to Motorola of 78 million warrants at 1.75p per share. Not only that, but Motorola will invest 3.7 million pounds at the same 1.75p, and this will play a key part in an issue of 629 million shares in total to raise 11 million pounds in order to consolidate the new deal, and carry it forward. The two CMS tests which are nearest to market are for Cystic Fibrosis and a family of enzymes CYP450 the mutation of which impact how well individuals metabolise drugs. The enlarged group believes that the new technology is complementary to that of OPTI and gives a strong foothold in the fast-expanding genetic diagnostics market
The habit of making losses and seeking some means of funding them is ingrained in many hi-tech companies, and it looked as though it would take a mighty effort or a major event to add much allure to this company - however clever the technology. If OPTI is gambolling to good effect as expected, the financial benefits have been well concealed. It doesn't look as though Motorola's sally into the market has done its shareholders much good. However, with a couple of powerful giants now having an interest in Osmetech it might - just might - start to change. A speculative buy for the brave.
windys160
- 31 Jul 2005 08:10
- 219 of 242
can anyone help explain this statement as i am a little confused as what this means as never heard of sub-divided shares ?
The first resolution proposed at the EGM was to sub-divide each Existing Share
into 1 ordinary share of 0.01p each and one Deferred Share. Now that this
resolution has been passed, subject to the completion of the Placing Agreement,
it is expected that dealings in the Existing Shares will cease at 4.30 p.m.
today, 25 July 2005 and dealings in Sub-Divided Ordinary Shares will commence
tomorrow, 26 July 2005.
For Shareholders holding their Existing Shares in uncertificated form, the
relevant CREST accounts will be credited with the Sub-Divided Ordinary Shares
tomorrow, 26 July 2005, in place of their Existing Shares. For Shareholders
holding their Existing Shares in certificated form, new share certificates will
not be issued in respect of the Sub-Divided Ordinary Shares,
DITCHPIG
- 01 Aug 2005 12:35
- 220 of 242
I think its something to do with a consolidation they are planning later this year.
bradley007
- 03 Oct 2005 10:59
- 221 of 242
Consolidation?
ptholden
- 03 Oct 2005 11:41
- 222 of 242
10 for 1. Looks like the MMs have used it as an opportunity to mark the SP down
DITCHPIG
- 08 Nov 2005 08:04
- 223 of 242
Hell of a lot has been happening in the last few months its a bit of a job keeping on top of it all. To get an idea where we are at now here is a long in depth interview with James White by Ian Roberts, analyst for Wallstreet Reporter....VERY positive, upbeat and bullish...!!! Well worth listening to, and should surely bring more US interest!!
http://www.wallstreetreporter.com/profiles/Osmetechplc.html
bangersmam
- 08 Nov 2005 15:09
- 224 of 242
Not forgetting this from the highly respected Investors Chronicle website, pinched from advfn, thanks DP. Surely Shares Mag will follow with a full on BUY tip this week or next.
4 November 2005
Sniffing out value
Once upon a time, Osmetech was best known for developing sensing technology that emulates the human nose. This is still a substantial part of its business, and the origin of its name (osme is Greek for smell). But a series of well-executed acquisitions over the past couple of years have turned it into a broader based diagnostics company. Todays trading update, which has sent the shares 20 per cent higher, shows some of the rewards of those deals.
Osmetech bought the OPTI range of blood gas analysers from Roche, the Swiss healthcare giant, for just $2.5m at the start of 2003. The devices are used in operating theatres and emergency rooms to give quick read-outs of critical gas and electrolyte levels in patients bloodstreams. Although formerly owned by a Swiss company, OPTI had a US-based sales force.
And look what theyve done: sales in the first six months were 3.74m, up 52 per cent on last year and considerably more than the price paid for the business. The growth came from a new version of an existing product, and strong sales of a related product used in the veterinary market.
The company says its not over yet, either: two new OPTI products are due to be launched shortly and management is talking about a very strong end to the year. Market expectations for OPTI sales are likely to be significantly exceeded in 2005 and 2006.
Osmetech has another division, Molecular Diagnostics, where acquisitions have also played a part. It bought Clinical Micro Sensors (CMS) from Motorola for around 3.7m, a deal which gave it access to more complex genetic diagnostic technology. The first products from this division are due on market in the first half of 2006.
Its noticeable that both Roche and Motorola were happy to be paid partly in Osmetech shares. Roche ended up with $1m worth of them, and Motorola invested 3.7m and has warrants over more. The shares were issued at a penny each to Roche and 1.75p apiece to Motorola. The company has since had a 10-into-1 share consolidation, so at 17.5p (latest share price here) the shares are effectively unchanged since the CMS deal. House broker Evolution Securities was forecasting 2006 sales of 8.63m, giving a loss of 7.74m (check forecasts here) but those numbers are now likely to be upgraded. The shares look good value
DITCHPIG
- 21 Nov 2005 07:52
- 225 of 242
First look at the new OPTI-GENE as released at recent Medica and AMP medical trade shows.
http://www.chelsea.co.uk/images/Osmetech%20Homeland.pdf
DITCHPIG
- 22 Nov 2005 19:24
- 226 of 242
Told you all it was about to come good
DITCHPIG
- 06 Dec 2005 09:14
- 227 of 242
Further confirmation from an insider news letter that FDA approval is close than ever.
http://www.bioarraynews.com/
Osmetech's eSensor Nears FDA Clearance as Qiagen OKs Bundling Deal
For Osmetech, the deal shows that its molecular diagnostics platform is closer to winning clearance from the FDA because Qiagen's kits must formally be made a part of the platform before it can be sold to labs.
31089
DITCHPIG
- 06 Dec 2005 14:02
- 228 of 242
New update with major shareholder list.131
DITCHPIG
- 09 Dec 2005 12:22
- 229 of 242
The Osmetech website has been update. All mention of the enose has been removed. Guess its finally dead then!
http://www.osmetech.com
The company also has a bust year ahead of it. Osmetech products are being launched / displayed at 12 exhibitions next year.
http://www.osmetech.com/exhibits.htm
DITCHPIG
- 19 Dec 2005 07:28
- 230 of 242
Found this interesting little PDF about the OPTI-CCA.
It gives some more close up detail and information on how it works and a list of the some of the organisations in the UK using it.
Interstingly BUPA have 17 of them, perhaps there is great potential here for pushing the rest of Osmo product line.
http://www.bio-stat.com/files/downloads/26.pdf
Interestingly Gordon Hall was previously a director of Biostat and nodoubt will maintain connections with them.
Osmetech GMBH are starting to get a little more exposure as well.
http://www.notfalllabor.de/Osmetech-GmbH/40-0-0-0-94-0-0-O.html
panic
- 29 Dec 2005 15:18
- 231 of 242
Nice rise today have I missed some news?
DITCHPIG
- 03 Jan 2006 10:32
- 232 of 242
No not yet but if you don't get in quick you could well do.
Osmetech have moved their year end to 31/12 so a trading statement is expected real soon.
Also news from the FDA re the Cystic Fibrosis test is due at any time.
So still time to grab a piece of the action before then. Still you could always hold on to them as the company are launching a number of products this both independantly and with partner in vetinary diagnostics Idexx.
DITCHPIG
- 20 Mar 2006 13:50
- 233 of 242
DITCHPIG
- 20 Mar 2006 13:50
- 234 of 242
Investors Chronicle says Good Value BUY |
DITCHPIG
- 20 Mar 2006 13:51
- 235 of 242
eSensor gets a new set of clothes. How sexy is that. Wouldnt look out of place on the starship enterprise.
Bewarned these images are massive and will give your internet connection a kicking.
I said in an earlier posting that I thought esensor might be delayed. Well I take that back. This is the make over I was expecting to see before launch. These are publicity shots from 8 days ago. Get them while there hot!
http://tech-dimensions.com/osmetech/Pics/Image_0224.JPG
New consumables for eSensor.
http://tech-dimensions.com/osmetech/Pics/Image_0245.JPG
Rest of the pics here.
http://tech-dimensions.com/osmetech/Pics/
Osmetech GMBH are now selling the AVOX4000 in addition to the other Osmo products. This core division in the Osmetech
sales push is starting to grow very nicely.
http://www.notfalllabor.de/Osmetech-GmbH/40-0-0-0-94-0-0-O.html
Osmetech GMBH are also exhibiting at the
47. KONGRESS DER DEUTSCHEN GESELLSCHAFT F PNEUMOLOGIE .
This meeting is not listed on Osmo website.
http://www.dgp2006.de/index.php?Auswahl=Industrie&Menue=Ebene0
Want to know how much OPTI bits cost? Well looky here.
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/MHRA/Pages/GuildfordEvaluations/CurrentReports/BloodGas/Blood%20gas%20pdfs/Osmetech%20OPTI%20CCA.pdf
Think you're clever? Have a go at debugging some of the code that drives opti.
http://nickhennenfent.com/gasgauge.c.htm
I think there can be little doubt now that Osmo are going to push their DNa technology in to the Vetinary market.
Yet another senior scientist is being recruited for this role.
http://www.socalbio.org/career_center/open-position/OMDJD_Sr[1]._Scientist.doc
This one is interesting. It makes reference to "management of an outside contractor developing a large software project." I wonder what that large software project could be.
http://www.socalbio.org/career_center/open-position/OMDJD_Sr[1]._Software_Eng.DOC
News link to Southern California Biomedical Council. eSensor to start full scale manufacturing in the spring. From the pics above looks like it already has!
http://www.socalbio.org/newsletter/spring2006/Synergies_Spring_2006.pdf
Looks like the recent Arab Health event sporned a new buisness relationship.
http://www.arabhealthonline.com/index.cfm?page=exhibitor_details&menuid=&RecordNo=1&id=4659&type=alphabet&c=O&option=&keyword=&style=1
http://www.transemirate.com/osmetech.htm
Presumably the opTIT device mentioned on the site a special version modifed for those of a poisson persuasion.
And the caribbean.
http://www.andarint.com/manufacturer_osmetech.php
And Norway.
http://www.mednett.no/english/blodgass_uk.html
DITCHPIG
- 23 Mar 2006 12:12
- 236 of 242
update with gartmore holding
DITCHPIG
- 24 Mar 2006 13:27
- 237 of 242
Investors Chronicle says Good Value BUY |