Hematology testing company complements EKF’s POCT product portfolio. The UltraCrit is the first and only hematocrit/hemoglobin device to use ultrasound technology

EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics business, announces that it has acquired Separation Technology, Inc. (STI), the Florida based manufacturer of in vitro diagnostics devices for hematology testing.  This acquisition complements EKF’s existing offering in the hemoglobin testing market place, which includes Hemo Control (also sold as HemoPoint H2 in USA and Asia). Notably, STI’s primary instrument is the UltraCrit hematocrit measurement device which is FDA cleared for blood donor screening.

STI develops, manufactures and markets specialty IVD devices including ultrasound instruments and table top centrifuges for the hematology testing market. STI also has an in-house engineering capability, including product design, production support and new product development.

STI’s UltraCrit is the first and only hematocrit/hemoglobin device to use ultrasound technology. The hematocrit reading is displayed automatically in about 30 seconds and provides a hematocrit value that allows for standardization for all collections, including whole blood, apheresis and double red cell collections. UltraCrit uses reagentless cuvettes, a major point of differentiation between different analyzers. STI also manufactures a range of centrifuges including HemataSTAT, also used for hematocrit reading.

Julian Baines, CEO of EKF commented: “The acquisition of STIis a great natural fit with our existing point-of-care business, and UltraCrit provides us with a leading product for measuring hematocrit during blood donor screening with huge potential both within the US and internationally.”

STI’s revenues are currently concentrated in the US market however the business has sought to expand its offering into markets outside of the US and has recently registered products in Brazil (UltraCrit), as well as Kazakhstan, Russia and Thailand. STI currently employs 15 staff, is based in Sanford, Florida, USA, and is being sold by Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

The acquisition of STI follows a year of strong organic growth in 2013 by EKF Diagnostics. EKF now has an installed base of over 50,000 analyzers globally and manufactures nearly 50 million tests annually.  Highlights for 2013 include a 42% increase in the Company’s sales of Hemo Control (HemoPoint H2), with sales for its Quo-Lab and Quo-Test glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) point-of-care analyzers up by 75%. Its Biosen range of glucose and lactate analyzers also showed a significant sales increase of 20%.

more about EKF Diagnostics

more about Separation Technology Inc

About EKF Diagnostics

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc specializes in the development, production and worldwide distribution of point-of-care blood analyzers for use in the detection and management of diabetes, anemia, lactate and kidney related diseases. Its new Molecular division focuses on molecular and companion diagnostics.

Companion Diagnostics: In March 2013 EKF set up a new division to focus on molecular and companion diagnostics - EKF Molecular Diagnostics develops technologies for cancer gene detection. Through its acquisition of UK-based 360 Genomics and by offering innovative products with the potential to change current DNA extraction and detection practices, EKF is addressing the fast growing companion diagnostics market.

Point-of-care diagnostics: EKF Diagnostics’ expertise covers the entire in vitro diagnostics chain, from fermentation and enzyme production, to liquid reagent manufacture, design and building of world-class diagnostic devices, and distribution of rapid test kits for infectious diseases and pregnancy. The EKF analyzer range is used widely in GP surgeries, pharmacies, blood banks, sports clinics, hospitals and laboratories for glucose, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit and HbA1c measurement.

EKF Diagnostics products are sold in more than 100 countries around the globe. EKF Diagnostics’ strengths lie in its multi-national research and manufacturing facilities, teams of experienced analysts and engineers in Germany, Ireland, USA and the UK, and a board led by some of world’s foremost authorities in medical diagnostics.