TIDMEKF

RNS Number : 5989N

EKF Diagnostics Holdings PLC

26 September 2023

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc

("EKF", the "Company" or the "Group")

Half-year Report

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM: EKF), the AIM-listed global diagnostics business , announces its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023, a period of continued growth in Point-of-Care and good progress in the Life Sciences fermentation capacity expansion.

Trading in the first half of 2023 ("H1 2023") was in line with Board expectations, and revised guidance for the full year performance was provided in the 12 September 2023 Trading Update.

Financial highlights (from continuing operations)

   --    Revenue from continuing operations of GBP26.9m (H1 2022: GBP37.5m) 

- Revenue growth in continuing operations, excluding largely COVID-related activities in Contract Manufacturing and Laboratory Testing including the effect in 2022 of the US inventory payment, of 6.8%

   --    Adjusted EBITDA* of GBP4.4m (H1 2022: GBP9.7m) 

-- Gross profit of GBP11.8m (H1 2022: GBP17.7m) with GM% marginally improved to 44.0% (H1 2022: 43.3%)

   --    Loss before tax of GBP0.03m (H1 2022: profit of GBP4.1m) 
   --    Net cash generated from operations of GBP2.5m (H1 2022: GBP8.4m) 
   --    Cash and cash equivalents of GBP9.2m (30 June 2022: GBP19.1m) (31 December 2022: GBP11.6m) 
   -     reflecting investment in South Bend enzyme fermentation facility 

- of which GBP2.4m (30 June 2022: GBP2.6m, 31 Dec 2022: GBP2.4m) is held by EKF's Russian subsidiary and subject to regulatory restrictions.

* Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation adjusted for exceptional items and share-based payments

Operational highlights

   --    Business division revenues: 
   -         Point-of-Care:  up 10.2% to GBP16.6m (H1 2022: GBP15.1m) 
   -         Life Sciences:   excluding COVID-revenues up 14.5% to GBP7.5m (H1 2022: GBP6.5m) 

- Other: GBP1.3m (H1 2022: GBP5.0m, which include GBP3.5m relating to cash received for US inventory)

-- Quality Management Audits completed at new fermentation facility in South Bend, with all fermenting units on site

-- First customer order received for new South Bend facility, with official site opening planned for 25 October 2023

-- Additional cost reduction and operational efficiency measures to further benefit FY 2024 performance

-- Board changes: Julian Baines, Executive Chair, remaining in role on a longer-term basis and Steve Young appointed as CFO in September 2023 after an orderly handover

Julian Baines, Executive Chair of EKF, commented: " Looking forward our core business is in a very strong position with continued growth momentum seen in our Point-of-Care division and in sales of <BETA>-HB. With the capacity expansion at our South Bend facility nearing completion, and having already received our first purchase order we look forward to delivering strong growth in enzyme fermentation revenues in 2024."

Copies of the interim results and associated investor presentation are available here:

https://www.ekfdiagnostics.com/documents-reports.html

EKF Diagnostics will be hosting a live online presentation open to all existing and potential investors on Tuesday 26 September at 5.30pm (BST), via the Investor Meet Company platform. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet EKF Diagnostics via:

https://www.investormeetcompany.com/ekf-diagnostics-holdings-plc/register-investor

Investors who already follow EKF on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically be invited.

A recording of the presentation, a PDF of the slides used, and responses to the Q&A session will be available on the Investor Meet Company platform afterwards.

 
     EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc                                        www.ekfdiagnostics.com 
     Julian Baines, Executive Chair / Stephen Young,                            via Walbrook PR 
      CFO 
 
     Singer Capital Markets (Nominated Adviser & Broker)                    Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 
                                                                                           3000 
     Aubrey Powell / Oliver Platts 
 
     Walbrook PR (Media & Investor               Tel: +44 (0)20 7933 8780 or ekf@walbrookpr.com 
      Relations) 
     Paul McManus / Lianne Applegarth                    Mob: +44 (0)7980 541 893 / +44 (0)7584 
                                                                                        391 303 
 
 

The persons responsible for arranging the release of this announcement

on behalf of the Company are Julian Baines, Executive Chair, and Stephen Young, CFO.

About EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc ( www.ekfdiagnostics.com )

EKF is an AIM-listed global diagnostics business focussed on:

-- Point-of-Care analysers in the key areas of Hematology and Diabetes, as well as Central Laboratory products including clinical chemistry reagents, analysers and centrifuges

-- Life Sciences services provide specialist manufacture of enzymes and custom products for use in diagnostic, food and industrial applications, as well as other higher value Contract Manufacturing services

EKF has headquarters in Penarth (near Cardiff) and operates five manufacturing sites across the US and Germany, selling into over 120 countries world-wide.

BUSINESS REVIEW

Despite 2023 remaining a transitional year for EKF, we are very pleased with the strong performance delivered by our core established business in the first half of the year. In particular, our Point-of-Care division has delivered double digit organic growth with growth recorded across our Diabetes and Hematology ranges. Our Life Sciences business has also benefitted from a 27% year-on-year increase in sales of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (<BETA>-HB) and remains an opportunity for significant growth once new fermentation capacity comes online.

Revenues for the six months ended 30 June 2023 were GBP26.9m (H1 2022: GBP37.5m) and adjusted EBITDA was GBP4.4m (H1 2022: GBP9.7m). However, growth in our continuing operations, excluding largely COVID-related activities in Contract Manufacturing and Laboratory Testing, was 6.8% to GBP24.9m (H1 2022: GBP23.3m).

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

The strong first half performance from both Point-of-Care ("POC") and the Life Sciences division can be seen below once the impact on the prior year comparison of historical COVID-related revenues is separated out.

 
     Divisional revenues                                       H1 2023       H1 2022           +/- % 
      GBP millions                                                                          Yr-on-Yr 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
     Point-of-Care (POC)                                          16.6          15.1           +9.9% 
     Life Sciences                                                 8.5          15.3          -44.4% 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
            Life Sciences: <BETA>-HB and Fermentation 
             sales                                                 7.5           6.6          +13.6% 
            Life Sciences: other COVID-related revenues            1.0           8.7         - 88.5% 
     Other*                                                        1.8           7.1          -74.6% 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
     Total Group Revenues                                         26.9          37.5          -28.3% 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
     Total Group Revenues (excluding all COVID-related 
      revenues)                                                   24.9          23.3           +6.8% 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------- 
 

* Other revenue relating to US inventory payment, shipping and handling recharges, repairs and other sundries

Includes GBP3.5m relating to US inventory receipt

Point-of-Care

 
     Point-of-Care       Providing a portfolio of Point-of-Care analysers and 
      (POC)               consumables, particularly for use in the area of Hematology 
                          and Diabetes, for use in hospital and research laboratories, 
                          doctors' offices, blood banks and for in-field anaemia 
                          screening programmes. EKF has an estimated 80,000 
                          hemoglobin, hematocrit, HbA1c, glucose and lactate 
                          analysers in regular use across more than 100 countries. 
                          Also includes Central Laboratory products including 
                          clinical chemistry reagents, analysers and centrifuges. 
 

We are delighted that the Point-of-Care division continues to deliver steady growth and sales growth of just over 10% reflecting an increase in product sales across our Diabetes and Hematology ranges to GBP16.6m (H1 2022: GBP15.1m). Revenues from this division contributed 63.1% of total revenues and continues to offer EKF a solid foundation with the majority of sales representing steady recurring revenue from high margin consumables.

Our POC hematology product portfolio demonstrated good growth in the first half recording sales of GBP7.21m, an increase of 11.4% year-on-year (H1 2022: GBP5.68m). We have continued to benefit from the growth in anaemia screening programmes post-pandemic and our stand-out performer in the first half was the DiaSpect Tm, a hand-held hemoglobin analyzer, which saw H1 sales increase by 44% to GBP3.21m (H1 2022: GBP2.23m). Sales in Hemocontrol, our point-of-care hemoglobin analyser, were GBP2.90m (H1 2022: GBP3.10m) after showing a significant uplift from H1 2021 (GBP2.13m sales) and sales for other hematology products such as HemataSTAT and Ultracrit remained broadly flat.

Our diabetes product range delivered sales growth of 6.9% to GBP6.07m (H1 2022: GBP5.68m). The biggest contributor to sales in this range is our Biosen series of glucose analyzers, a familiar name in laboratories and diabetes clinics round the world. In H1 2022 we recorded sales of GBP2.70m (H1 2022: GBP2.85m). Revenues from our HbA1c analyzer product lines grew during the period: Quo-Lab sales were up 15.7% to GBP1.92m (H1 2022: GBP1.66m), and sales of Quo-Test were up 24.0% to GBP1.45m (H1 2022: GBP1.16m).

During the period we also derived our first revenues from our EKF Link product, a digital connectivity solution for the secure management of POC analysers and associated data on one centralised platform. Integrated with hospital and laboratory IT systems, EKF Link enables real-time remote management of data, such as patient test results, allowing physicians and other healthcare professionals to easily evaluate patients' data securely and accurately from a remote setting.

H1 2023 has seen the best revenue performance to date from our Point-of-Care Division and we are delighted to see that this strong performance has continued into the third quarter, as the high-level of demand for reagent-free hemoglobin and HbA1c analyzers continues.

This division is also expected to benefit from a number of initiatives that will improve productivity, margins and our competitive advantage. The automation process for the manufacture of disposable cuvettes for the DiaSpect Tm is being consolidated into our own manufacturing site in Barleben, Germany, from a third-party producer. In addition, the manufacturing automation of our Hemocontrol single-pack cuvette at Barleben will be completed and online by the end of the year. Not only will this have a positive impact on margins, but also positions EKF as the only company offering single-pack cuvettes, giving us an advantage in emerging markets where wastage is a problem.

The regulatory team at EKF continues to work towards meeting the additional requirements under the new In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) and other legislation.

Life Sciences

 
     Life Sciences       Providing specialist manufacture of enzymes and custom 
                          products for use in diagnostic, food and industrial 
                          applications, as well as other higher value Contract 
                          Manufacturing services. Also included the production 
                          of <BETA>-HB, a reagent used to identify patients 
                          suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis. 
 

Our Life Sciences division delivered revenues of GBP8.5m, contributing 31.6% of total revenues. The year-on-year comparative for 2022 (H1 2022: GBP15.3m) includes GBP8.7m of COVID-related revenues from Contract Manufacturing, however focussing solely on the on-going <BETA>-HB and enzyme fermentation sales, Life Sciences produced 14.5% organic growth, driven by strong <BETA>-HB sales.

We remain one of the clear market leaders for the supply of <BETA>-HB, a reagent used to detect ketones for patients suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as many other clinical applications. <BETA>-HB sales for H1 2023 were up 27.3% to GBP6.31m (H1 2022: GBP4.96m).

Our specialist enzyme fermentation business recorded revenues of GBP1.23m (H1 2022: GBP1.63m) from our existing site in Elkhart, with continued demand from our large corporate customers to create and deliver high quality enzymes and biomolecules for use in a variety of industrial applications.

As outlined in our recent Trading Update, good progress is being made to complete the increased fermentation capacity at the South Bend facility in Indiana. All of the new fermenting units are on site and in the process of installation, validation and verification. We have successfully completed ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 Quality Management Audits at our sites and we expect to see a steady build-up of revenues from this new capacity during FY 2024. We expect to host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the official opening of the new site on 25 October 2023.

We are very pleased to announce receipt of our first purchase order for enzyme manufacturing services for our new facility and this will contribute limited revenues in Q4 FY 2023 and, as these scale-up, will cornerstone the substantial revenue growth we expect to see next year from this new capacity.

Operational efficiencies and continued cost control

We continue to expect that improvements in adjusted EBITDA margin will be seen in the second half. We also recognise that there are further cost savings and efficiency measures that can be implemented, and these will benefit FY 2024. We expect to see FY 2024 margins benefit further from the ramp-up in higher margin enzyme fermentation revenues within Life Sciences as utilisation of our additional capacity builds.

Russia and Ukraine

EKF owns 60% of O.O.O. EKF Diagnostika, a distribution subsidiary located in Moscow which sells EKF POC products and other third-party products into Russia and neighbouring states. We continue to provide essential medical supplies to the region, and whilst sales have continued in the first half of the year, the number of products that we can supply into the region has reduced in line with current sanctions.

Cash held in Russia totalled GBP2.39m at the period end. Restrictions remain in place regarding the payment of foreign dividends in Russia and so this cash remains partly inaccessible. We have been able to arrange for limited dividends to be paid over in July and August, however there can be no assurance that this will be able to continue. The Board continues to explore options available to realise the value tied up in Russia.

Board Changes

Post-period end we announced the appointment of Steve Young as CFO, who has been working as a consultant over the summer to ensure an orderly handover from his predecessor. Steve is an experienced FD and CFO with a strong working knowledge of how AIM companies operate. I worked closely with Steve at BBI Holdings plc for a number of years and am delighted to have him on board at EKF.

I have also confirmed to the Board my increased commitment as Executive Chairman and I have a singular focus to ensure we are on track to meet or exceed revised guidance and to deliver the significant long-term growth prospects that I am confident our Life Sciences division offers to shareholders.

Outlook

In our recent guidance update we confirmed that for the full year ending 31 December 2023 we expect to deliver revenues of around GBP53m and adjusted EBITDA in the region of GBP10m.

Looking forward our core business is in a very strong position, with continued growth momentum seen in our Point-of-Care division and in sales of <BETA>-HB. With the capacity expansion at our South Bend facility nearing completion, and already having received our first purchase order and we look forward to delivering strong growth in enzyme fermentation revenues in 2024.

Increased utilisation of our additional capacity at South Bend is key to our future growth. My colleagues and I are determined to ensure we succeed in delivering this and the Board thanks the wider team for its diligent commitment to our expansion plans. With strong engagement from current and prospective customers to underpin increasing utilisation over time, our confidence in the longer-term, significant growth prospects for EKF remains high.

Julian Baines

Executive Chair

26 September 2023

Financial review

In March 2023, all of the share capital of Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory LLC was sold to certain members of its management for a consideration consisting of 1,200,000 EKF ordinary shares which were returned to EKF. These shares were valued at GBP343,800 and are held in treasury. Costs of the transaction were GBP107,000. In February 2023, the UK manufacturing operations, which had largely serviced UK COVID-related customers were closed down, resulting in a small number of redundancies.

Revenue

Revenue for the period was GBP26.8m (H1 2022: GBP37.5m).

Revenue by Business Unit:

 
 
                                 Unaudited              Unaudited 
                            6 months ended         6 months ended 
                              30 June 2023           30 June 2022 
                                   GBP'000                GBP'000         +/- % 
 
     Point-of-Care                  16,627                 15,093         10.2% 
     Life Sciences                   8,511                 15,244       (44.2%) 
     Other*                          1,734                  7,134       (78.2%) 
                                                                   ------------ 
     Total revenue                  26,872                 37,471       (28.3%) 
                     ---------------------  ---------------------  ------------ 
 

Considering our core established business units , which excludes largely COVID-related revenue including that from Contract Manufacturing and Laboratory Services totalling GBP2.0m in 2023 (H1 2022: GBP14.7m), the Group delivered growth of 6.8% compared with the equivalent period in 2022.

* Other revenue relating to US inventory payment, shipping and handling recharges, repairs and other sundries

Revenue by Geographical Segment:

 
 
                                       Unaudited              Unaudited 
                                  6 months ended         6 months ended 
                                    30 June 2023           30 June 2022 
                                         GBP'000                GBP'000         +/- % 
     Continuing business 
     Germany                              11,014                 13,583       (18.9%) 
     USA                                  13,376                 20,925       (36.1%) 
     Russia                                1,690                  2,037       (17.0%) 
     UK                                      792                    926       (14.5%) 
                                                                         ------------ 
     Total revenue                        26,872                 37,471       (28.3%) 
                           ---------------------  ---------------------  ------------ 
 
 

Geographic regions showing a decline is primarily due to the reduction in COVID-related Contracted Manufacturing activity. The 2022 amount for USA includes the GBP3.5m inventory payment. The Group's Russian subsidiary, which is 60% owned by the Group, is consolidated in full in accordance with accounting standards. The interest of the minority shareholders is included as a separate item in the Consolidated Income statement.

Gross profit

Gross profit was GBP11.8m (H1 2022: GBP17.7m). The gross profit margin was 44.0% (H1 2022: 43.3%). The gross profit has increased marginally mainly as a result of the mix of products and services.

Administrative expenses

In H1 2023, administration expenses (excluding exceptionals) reduced to GBP10.9m (H1 2022: GBP12.8m), representing 40.7% of revenue for the period (H1 2022: 34.1%, FY 2022: 34.8%). The increase is largely due to the reduced revenue. The Boards expects that cost savings and efficiency measures will be implemented in the second half which will benefit FY 2024.

The charge for depreciation of fixed assets and for the amortisation of intangibles is GBP3.3m (H1 2022: GBP3.4m).

Operating profit and adjusted earnings before interest tax and depreciation

The Group generated an operating loss of GBP0.07m (H1 2022: profit of GBP4.1m). We continue to consider that adjusted EBITDA gives a more meaningful measure of performance which for H1 2023 was GBP4.4m (H1 2022: GBP9.7m).

In H1 2023 adjusted EBITDA excludes a charge for share-based payments of GBPnil (H1 2022: charge of GBP0.5m) and exceptional charges of GBP1.2m (H1 2022: charge of GBP1.7m). The exceptional charge relates mainly to transition and restructure costs of certain operations in the US and Germany including provisions against inventory and the impairment of certain lease assets where the property is no longer required. The reduction in operating profit and adjusted EBITDA, in particular in the US and German regions relates to lower revenues associated with the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased cost inflation.

Finance income

Net finance income is GBP0.04m (H1 2022: GBP0.01m). The income has increased because of higher interest income on funds held in Russia.

Tax

There is a tax charge of GBP0.1m (H1 2022: GBP1.7m). The decrease largely reflects the decrease in profit.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations has decreased to nil (H1 2022: 0.48p). There is no dilutive effect from the remaining share options, which have now lapsed.

Balance sheet

Fixed assets

We have capitalised GBP3.4m (H1 2022: GBP2.3m) of property, plant and equipment. The expenditure includes continuing work on adding capacity for Life Sciences in the US. Further expenditure in Life Sciences to complete the new facility in South Bend is planned for the second half of the year.

Intangible assets

The value of intangible fixed assets is GBP31.2m (31 December 2022: GBP33.8m). The decrease is mainly the result of exchange rate movements. An amount of GBP0.1m (H1 2022: GBP0.8m) has been capitalised during the first half.

Investments

Investments are held at fair value which has been calculated based on the market value of the shares which at 30 June 2023 was GBP1.1125 (31 December 2022: GBP0.725) per share for Renalytix and GBP0.1175 (31 December 2022: GBP0.125) per share for Verici Dx. The majority of the Group's shares in Verici were transferred to EKF shareholders in 2022 through a dividend in specie. In July 2023 the remaining Renalytix shares were sold for a consideration of GBP1.33m.

Deferred consideration

The deferred consideration at 30 June 2022 related to the acquisition of Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory LLC. (ADL). The remaining deferred consideration was cancelled as part of the disposal of ADL earlier this year.

Cash and working capital

The gross cash position at 30 June 2023 was GBP9.2m (31 Dec 2022: GBP11.6m), and the Group had cash net of bank borrowings of GBP9.1m (31 Dec 2022: GBP11.4m).

Cash generated from operations in H1 2023 is GBP2.5m (H1 2022: GBP8.4m). Trade debtors have increased as a result of timing effects in the run-up to period end.

Cash and cash equivalents held by the Russian subsidiary at 30 June 2023 totalled GBP2.4m (31 Dec 2022: GBP2.4m). These deposits are subject to regulatory restrictions, and therefore may not be available for general use by the other entities within the Group.

In July 2023, we disposed of our remaining shareholding in Renalytix plc for a consideration of GBP1.33m.

In March 2023 the Company agreed a loan facility of GBP3.0m. At 30 June 2023 this facility had not been utilised.. In addition the Group expects to finalise a further GBP3m undrawn facility from HSBC from late September 2023. The strength of the Group's balance sheet and the cash and loan resources available to it, aligned to the continuing performance of the business gives the Directors confidence that the business can continue to meet its obligations as they fall due, even under our worst-case scenarios, for at least the next 12 months.

Capital structure

1,200,000 ordinary shares were returned to the Company in April 2023 by the acquirer of ADL, at a value of GBP348,000. These shares are currently held in treasury. We have maintained shareholder authority to buy back shares, however we currently have no plans to make any further purchases.

Dividend

At the Annual General Meeting in May 2023, shareholders approved the payment of a dividend of 1.2p per ordinary share, to be paid on 1 December 2023 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 3 November 2023. As this declaration is irrevocable, the value of GBP5.445m is shown as a liability with the debit shown in the statement of changes in equity.

Stephen Young

Chief Financial Officer

26 September 2023

 
     CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT 
     FOR THE 6 MONTHSED 30 JUNE 
      2023 
                                                                         Unaudited 
                                                         Unaudited        6 months            Audited 
                                                          6 months           ended         Year ended 
                                                          ended 30         30 June        31 December 
                                                         June 2023            2022               2022 
                                            Notes          GBP'000         GBP'000            GBP'000 
     Continuing operations 
     Revenue                                  3             26,872          37,471             66,635 
     Cost of sales                                        (14,855)        (19,727)           (35,823) 
     Exceptional items - other 
      charged to cost of sales                               (196)         (1,499)            (6,774) 
                                                   ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
     Gross profit                                           11,821          16,245             24,038 
     Administrative expenses                              (10,939)        (12,791)           (23,177) 
     Exceptional items - impairment 
      of assets                                              (671)           (183)           (10,384) 
     Exceptional items - other                               (341)               -              (367) 
     Other income                                               63             880                919 
                                                   ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
     Operating (loss)/profit                                  (67)           4,151            (8,971) 
-------------------------------------  ---------- 
     Depreciation and amortisation                         (3,274)         (3,361)            (6,658) 
     Share-based payments                                        -           (517)                308 
     Exceptional items                        4            (1,209)         (1,682)           (17,525) 
     EBITDA before exceptional 
      items and share-based payments                         4,416           9,711             14,904 
-------------------------------------  ----------  ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
     Finance income                                             59              57                131 
     Finance costs                                            (18)            (68)              (102) 
                                                   ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
     (Loss)/profit before income 
      tax                                                     (26)           4,140            (8,942) 
     Income tax charge                        5              (144)         (1,717)              (634) 
                                                   ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
     (Loss)/profit for the period                            (170)           2,423            (9,576) 
                                                   ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 
     (Loss)/profit is attributable 
      to: 
     Owners of the parent                                    (358)           2,213           (10,101) 
     Non-controlling interest                                  188             210                525 
                                                             (170)           2,423            (9,576) 
                                                   ---------------  --------------  ----------------- 
 
 
     (Loss)/earnings per ordinary 
      share attributable to the 
      owners of the parent during 
      the period                           6 
                                                    Pence       Pence        Pence 
 
     Basic                                         (0.08)        0.48       (2.21) 
 
     Diluted                                       (0.08)        0.48       (2.21) 
                                              -----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE 
      INCOME 
     FOR THE 6 MONTHSED 30 
      JUNE 2023 
 
                                                     Unaudited        Unaudited            Audited 
                                                      6 months         6 months         Year ended 
                                                      ended 30         ended 30        31 December 
                                                     June 2023        June 2022               2022 
                                                       GBP'000          GBP'000            GBP'000 
 
     (Loss)/profit for the period                        (170)            2,423            (9,576) 
 
     Other comprehensive income/(expense): 
     Items that will not be reclassified 
      to profit or loss 
      Changes in fair value of equity 
      instruments at fair value 
      through other comprehensive 
      income (net of tax)                                  437          (5,307)            (6,096) 
     Items that may be subsequently 
      reclassified to profit or 
      loss 
      Currency translation differences                 (3,502)            6,520              6,811 
     Other comprehensive (loss)/income 
      (net of tax)                                     (3,065)            1,213                715 
                                               ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
     Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
      for the period                                   (3,235)            3,636            (8,861) 
                                               ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
     Attributable to: 
     Owners of the parent                              (3,139)            3,024            (9,420) 
     Non-controlling interests                            (96)              612                559 
                                               ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
     Total comprehensive (loss)/income 
      for the period                                   (3,235)            3,636            (8,861) 
                                               ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 
     AS AT 30 JUNE 2023 
                                            Unaudited                        Unaudited                   Audited as 
                                             as at 30                         as at 30               at 31 December 
                                            June 2023                        June 2022                         2022 
                              Notes           GBP'000                          GBP'000                      GBP'000 
     Assets 
     Non-current assets 
     Property, plant 
      and equipment               7            21,576                           18,170                       20,435 
     Right-of-use 
      assets                      7               507                            1,495                        1,279 
     Intangible assets            8            31,163                           43,387                       33,772 
     Investments                                1,556                            1,566                        1,119 
     Deferred tax 
      assets                                      878                               23                          925 
     Total non-current 
      assets                                   55,680                           64,641                       57,530 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
 
     Current Assets 
     Inventories                                9,414                           12,969                        9,434 
     Trade and other 
      receivables                               7,979                           12,236                       10,739 
     Corporation tax 
      receivable                                   13                              408                           10 
     Cash and cash 
      equivalents                               9,165                           19,138                       11,578 
     Total current 
      assets                                   26,571                           44,751                       31,761 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
     Total assets                              82,251                          109,392                       89,291 
                                     ================              ===================      ======================= 
 
     Equity 
     attributable 
     to owners of the 
     parent 
     Share capital                              4,537                            4,549                        4,549 
     Share premium                              7,375                            7,375                        7,375 
     Other reserve                              (182)                            (184)                        (629) 
     Foreign currency 
      reserves                                  6,129                            8,931                        9,590 
     Retained earnings                         46,326                           64,775                       52,461 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ======================= 
                                               64,185                           85,446                       73,346 
     Non-controlling 
      interest                                  1,081                            1,230                        1,177 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ======================= 
     Total equity                              65,266                           86,676                       74,523 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ======================= 
 
     Liabilities 
     Non-current 
     liabilities 
     Borrowings                                     -                               44                            - 
     Lease liabilities                            223                              793                          537 
     Deferred 
     consideration                                  -                              173                            - 
     Deferred tax 
      liability                                 2,140                            3,795                        2,493 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
     Total non-current 
      liabilities                               2,363                            4,805                        3,030 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
 
     Current 
     liabilities 
     Trade and other 
      payables                                 11,702                           14,148                        8,288 
     Lease liabilities                            400                              902                          873 
     Deferred                                                                                                     - 
     consideration                                  -                               72 
     Current income tax 
      liabilities                               2,476                            2,611                        2,440 
     Borrowings                                    44                              178                          137 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
     Total current 
      liabilities                              14,622                           17,911                       11,738 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
     Total liabilities                         16,985                           22,716                       14,768 
                                     ----------------              -------------------      ----------------------- 
     Total equity and 
      liabilities                              82,251                          109,392                       89,291 
                                     ================              ===================      ======================= 
 
       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 
     FOR THE 6 MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2023 
                                                                                                                     Audited 
                                                                                             Unaudited                  Year 
                                                                    Unaudited                 6 months                 to 31 
                                                               6 months ended                 ended 30              December 
                                                                 30 June 2023                June 2022                  2022 
                                                                      GBP'000                  GBP'000               GBP'000 
     Cash flow from operating activities 
     (Loss)/profit before income tax                                     (26)                    4,140               (8,942) 
     Adjustments for 
     - Depreciation                                                     1,590                    1,505                 3,098 
     - Amortisation and impairment charges                              1,684                    1,856                 3,560 
     - Exceptional items                                                1,209                    1,682                17,525 
     - (Profit)/loss on disposal of assets                                  5                       19                    28 
     - Share-based payments                                                 -                      517                 (308) 
     - Cash outflows relating to exceptional 
      items                                                             (157)                        -                 (617) 
     - Foreign Exchange                                                     -                        -                  (71) 
     - Bad debt written down                                              174                        -                   127 
     - Net finance costs                                                 (41)                       11                  (29) 
     Changes in working capital 
     - Inventories                                                      (445)                    (693)                 (815) 
     - Trade and other receivables                                      1,708                    1,698                 1,276 
     - Trade and other payables                                       (2,862)                    (323)               (2,177) 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
 
     Cash generated from operations                                     2,839                   10,412                12,655 
     Interest received                                                     59                       57                    85 
     Interest paid                                                        (3)                     (39)                  (46) 
     Income tax paid                                                    (389)                  (1,945)               (3,006) 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
     Net cash generated from operating 
      activities                                                        2,506                    8,428                 9,688 
     Cash flow from investing activities 
     Payment for investments                                                -                  (2,930)               (2,930) 
     Payment for property, plant and 
      equipment (PPE)                                                 (3,345)                  (2,167)               (4,434) 
     Payment for intangibles                                            (138)                    (819)               (1,394) 
     Payment for acquisition of subsidiaries, 
      net of cash acquired                                                  -                    (403)                 (403) 
     Proceeds from sale of PPE                                             59                        6                   229 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
     Net cash used in investing activities                            (3,424)                  (6,256)               (8,932) 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
     Cash flow from financing activities 
     Dividend paid to company shareholders                                  -                        -               (5,459) 
     Payment for shares bought back                                         -                  (3,896)               (3,896) 
     Repayments of borrowings                                            (93)                    (525)                 (613) 
     Principal elements of lease payments                               (507)                    (551)               (1,071) 
     Dividends payment to non-controlling                                                                                  - 
      interests                                                             -                        - 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
     Net cash used in financing activities                              (600)                  (4,972)              (11,039) 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
     Net decrease in cash and cash 
      equivalents                                                     (1,518)                  (2,800)              (10,283) 
     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning 
      of period                                                        11,578                   20,341                20,341 
     Exchange gains on cash and cash 
      equivalents                                                       (895)                    1,597                 1,520 
                                               ------------------------------   ----------------------      ---------------- 
     Cash and cash equivalents at end 
      of period                                                         9,165                   19,138                11,578 
                                               ==============================   ======================      ================ 
 
 
 
     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES 
      IN EQUITY 
     FOR THE 6 MONTHSED 30 JUNE 
      2023 
                                Share          Share         Other        Foreign       Retained          Total       Non-controlling          Total 
                              Capital        Premium       Reserve       Currency       earnings                             interest         equity 
                                                                          Reserve 
                              GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000               GBP'000        GBP'000 
 
     At 1 January 2022          4,639          7,375         5,033          2,813         74,264         94,124                   618         94,742 
     Comprehensive 
     income/(expense) 
     Profit for the 
      period                        -              -             -              -          2,213          2,213                   210          2,423 
     Other 
     comprehensive 
     income/(expense) 
     Changes in fair 
      value 
      of equity 
      instruments 
      at fair value 
      through 
      other 
      comprehensive 
      income/(expense)              -              -       (5,307)              -              -        (5,307)                     -        (5,307) 
     Currency 
      translation 
      differences                   -              -             -          6,118              -          6,118                   402          6,520 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     Total 
      comprehensive 
      income/(expense)              -              -       (5,307)          6,118          2,213          3,024                   612          3,636 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     Transactions with 
      owners 
     Acquisition of 
      own 
      shares                     (90)              -            90              -        (3,896)        (3,896)                     -        (3,896) 
     Dividends to 
      owners                        -              -             -              -        (7,806)        (7,806)                     -        (7,806) 
     Dividends to                   -              -             -              -              -              -                     -              - 
     non-controlling 
     interest 
     Total 
      contributions 
      by and 
      distributions 
      to owners                  (90)              -            90              -       (11,702)       (11,702)                     -       (11,702) 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     At 30 June 2022            4,549          7,375         (184)          8,931         64,775         85,446                 1,230         86,676 
     Comprehensive 
     income/(expense) 
     Profit for the 
      period                        -              -             -              -       (12,314)       (12,314)                   315       (11,999) 
     Other 
     comprehensive 
     income/(expense) 
     Changes in fair 
      value 
      of equity 
      instruments 
      at fair value 
      through 
      other 
      comprehensive 
      income/(expense)              -              -         (445)              -              -          (445)                     -          (445) 
     Acquisition of 
      own 
      shares                        -              -         (344)              -              -          (344)                     -          (344) 
 
       Currency 
       translation 
       differences                  -              -             -            659            (1)            658                 (368)            290 
     Total 
      comprehensive 
      income/(expense)              -              -         (789)            659       (12,315)       (12,445)                  (53)       (12,498) 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     Transactions with 
      owners 
     Reserve transfer               -              -           344              -              1            345                     -            345 
     Total 
      contributions 
      by and 
      distributions 
      to owners                     -              -           344              -              1            345                     -            345 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     At 31 December 
      2022                      4,549          7,375         (629)          9,590         52,461         73,346                 1,177         74,523 
     Comprehensive 
     income 
     Profit for the 
      period                        -              -             -              -          (358)          (358)                   188          (170) 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     Other 
     comprehensive 
     income/(expense) 
     Changes in fair 
      value 
      of equity 
      instruments 
      at fair value 
      through 
      other 
      comprehensive 
      income/(expense)              -              -           437              -              -            437                     -            437 
     Currency 
      translation 
      differences                   -              -           (2)        (3,461)             12        (3,451)                 (284)        (3,735) 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     Total 
      comprehensive 
      income/(expense)              -              -           435        (3,461)          (346)        (3,372)                  (96)        (3,468) 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     Transactions with 
      owners 
     Acquisition of 
      own 
      shares                     (12)              -            12              -          (344)          (344)                     -          (344) 
     Dividends to 
      owners                        -              -             -              -        (5,445)        (5,445)                     -        (5,445) 
     Total 
      contributions 
      by and 
      distributions 
      to owners                  (12)              -            12              -        (5,789)        (5,789)                     -        (5,789) 
                        -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  --------------------  ------------- 
     At 30 June 2023            4,537          7,375         (182)          6,129         46,326         64,185                 1,081         65,266 
                        =============  =============  ============  =============  =============  =============  ====================  ============= 
 

NOTES FORMING PART OF THE INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   1.              General information and basis of presentation 

EKF Diagnostics Holdings Plc is a company incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom. The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. The address of the registered office is Avon House, 19 Stanwell Road, Penarth, Cardiff CF64 2EZ.

The principal activity of the Group is the development, manufacture, and supply of products and services into the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) market place. The Group has presence in the UK, USA, Germany, and Russia, and sells throughout the world including Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.

The financial statements are presented in British Pounds Sterling, the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Company's headquarters is operated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss and certain financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

The financial information in these interim results is that of the holding company and all of its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2023. It has been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies reporting under those standards. The accounting policies applied by the Group in this financial information are the same as those applied by the Group in its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 and which will form the basis of the 2023 financial statements except for a number of new and amended standards which have become effective since the beginning of the previous financial year. These new and amended standards are not expected to materially affect the Group. The preparation of financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in this announcement that is not a statement of historical fact including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future expectations, operations, financial performance, financial condition and business is a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, amongst other factors, changing economic, financial, business or other market conditions. These and other factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described in this announcement and the Company undertakes no obligation to update its view of such risks and uncertainties or to update the forward-looking statements contained herein. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast.

The financial information presented herein does not constitute full statutory accounts under Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and was not subject to a formal review by the auditors. The financial information in respect of the year ended 31 December 2022 has been extracted from the statutory accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Group's Independent Auditor's report on those accounts was unqualified, did not include references to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the half years ended 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 is unaudited and the twelve months to 31 December 2022 is audited.

   2.               Significant accounting policies 

Going concern

The Directors have considered the applicability of the going concern basis in the preparation of these financial statements. This included the review of internal budgets and financial results which show, taking into account reasonably plausible changes in financial performance, that the Group will be able to operate within the level of its current funding arrangements.

Following the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group's core established business has now returned to normal. The business has seen a significant reduction in pandemic-related contract manufacturing and testing activities and as a result has closed its UK manufacturing operations and disposed of its US laboratory testing business, ADL Health.

The Group has revenues from customers in Russia which are serviced by our entity based in Moscow. As a result of the continuing sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU, the USA and other countries, there are enhanced risks in respect of our Russian entity, including regulatory restrictions and credit risk to cash balances, its ability to collect debtors, and EKF's ability to import products into Russia. In addition, action by the Russian Government is currently restricting the Russian entity's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders. In preparing a downside going concern forecast we have discounted future sales and cash from this region entirely.

The strength of the Group's balance sheet aligned to the continuing performance of the business gives the Directors confidence that the business can continue to meet its obligations as they fall due, even under our worst-case scenarios, for at least the next 12 months. In addition, the Group has secured a committed GBP3m of funding from the North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust, to be drawn down if necessary. Accordingly, the Directors are satisfied they can prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.

   3.              Segmental reporting 

Management has determined the Group's operating segments based on the monthly management reports presented to the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM'). The CODM is the Executive Directors and the monthly management reports are used by the Group to make strategic decisions and allocate resources.

The principal activity of the Group is the design, development, manufacture and sale of diagnostic instruments, reagents and certain ancillary products, as well as central laboratory reagents, primarily into the in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) market . This activity takes place across various countries, such as the USA, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom, and as such the Board considers the business primarily from a geographic perspective. Although not all the segments meet the quantitative thresholds required by IFRS 8, management has concluded that all segments should be maintained and reported. In addition, the COMD considers the segmental revenue performance of business segments.

The reportable segments derive their revenue primarily from the manufacture and sale of medical diagnostic equipment and reagents. Other services include the servicing and distribution of third party company products under separate distribution agreements. Transactions between segments consist of the sale of products for resale. The basis of accounting for these transactions is the same as for external revenue.

Currently the key operating performance measures used by the CODM are Revenue and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, adjusted for exceptional items and share-based payments).

The segment information provided to the Board for the reportable geographic segments is as follows:

Period ended 30 June 2023 unaudited

 
                                              Germany            USA        Russia             UK          Total 
                                              GBP'000        GBP'000       GBP'000        GBP'000        GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Income statement 
     Revenue                                   13,419         13,376         1,690            792         29,277 
     Inter-segment                            (2,405)              -             -              -        (2,405) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     External revenue                          11,014         13,376         1,690            792         26,872 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Adjusted EBITDA*                           2,765          3,059           546        (1,954)          4,416 
     Share-based payment                            -              -             -              -              - 
     Exceptional items                             37          (719)             -          (527)        (1,209) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     EBITDA                                     2,802          2,340           546        (2,481)          3,207 
     Depreciation                               (418)          (967)          (25)          (180)        (1,590) 
     Amortisation                               (880)          (125)             -          (679)        (1,684) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Operating profit/(loss)                    1,504          1,248           521        (3,340)           (67) 
     Net finance costs                            (1)              -            57           (15)             41 
     Income tax                                 (321)            163         (109)            123          (144) 
     Profit/(loss) for the 
      period                                    1,182          1,411           469        (3,232)          (170) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Segment assets 
     Operating assets                          32,860         74,876           578       (21,265)         87,049 
     Inter-segment assets                         254       (18,662)             -          4,445       (13,963) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     External operating assets                 33,114         56,214           578       (16,820)         73,086 
     Cash and cash equivalents                  2,592          4,100         2,388             85          9,165 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Total assets                              35,706         60,314         2,966       (16,735)         82,251 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Segment liabilities 
     Operating liabilities                    (3,824)         21,217           324         13,187         30,904 
     Inter-segment liabilities                  9,494       (17,775)             -        (5,682)       (13,963) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     External operating liabilities             5,670          3,442           324          7,505         16,941 
     Borrowings                                    44              -             -              -             44 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Total liabilities                          5,714          3,442           324          7,505         16,985 
---------------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------------  -------------  ------------- 
     Other segmental information 
     Non-current assets - PPE                   6,043         14,143            95          1,295         21,576 
     Non-current assets - Right-of-use 
      assets                                      197            288             2             20            507 
     Non-current assets - Intangibles          18,554          8,292            68          4,249         31,163 
     Intangible assets -additions                 112             26             -              -            138 
     PPE - additions                              428          2,910             -              7          3,345 
     Right-of-use assets - additions               52              -             -              -             52 
 

Year ended December 2022 audited

 
                                        Germany                USA          Russia                UK             Total 
                                        GBP'000            GBP'000         GBP'000           GBP'000           GBP'000 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
     Income statement 
     Revenue                             30,384             37,220           4,202             1,427            73,233 
     Inter-segment                      (6,192)              (398)               -               (8)           (6,598) 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
     External revenue                    24,192             36,822           4,202             1,419            66,635 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
 
 
       Adjusted EBITDA*                   8,089              8,309           1,563           (3,057)            14,904 
     Exceptional items - 
      impairments                          (32)           (10,324)               -              (28)          (10,384) 
     Exceptional items - other          (1,857)            (4,909)               -             (375)           (7,141) 
     Share-based payments                     -                  -               -               308               308 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
 
       EBITDA                             6,200            (6,924)           1,563           (3,152)           (2,313) 
     Depreciation                         (744)            (1,925)            (21)             (408)           (3,098) 
     Amortisation                       (1,667)            (1,835)               -              (58)           (3,560) 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
 
       Operating profit                   3,789           (10,684)           1,542           (3,618)           (8,971) 
     Finance income                           1                  1             118                11               131 
     Finance cost                          (33)                (4)               -              (65)             (102) 
     Income tax                           (790)                644           (348)             (140)             (634) 
     Profit for the year                  2,967           (10,043)           1,312           (3,812)           (9,576) 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
 
       Segment assets 
     Operating assets                    41,835             57,213             873            13,246           113,167 
     Inter-segment assets              (10,608)           (22,634)               -           (2,212)          (35,454) 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
     External operating assets           31,227             34,579             873            11,034            77,713 
     Cash and cash equivalents            2,774              5,785           2,366               653            11,578 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
     Total assets                        34,001             40,364           3,239            11,687            89,291 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
 
       Segment liabilities 
     Operating liabilities                7,211             27,125             207            15,542            50,085 
     Inter-segment liabilities            (986)           (21,908)               -          (12,560)          (35,454) 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
     External operating 
      liabilities                         6,225              5,217             207             2,982            14,631 
     Borrowings (excluding 
      lease liabilities)                    137                  -               -                 -               137 
==============================  ===============  =================  ==============  ================  ================ 
     Total liabilities                    6,362              5,217             207             2,982            14,768 
 
      Other segmental 
      information 
     Non-current assets - 
      PPE                                 5,982             13,590             155             1,987            21,714 
     Non-current assets - 
      Intangibles                        18,606              8,822              87             6,257            33,772 
     PPE - additions                        877              5,909              84               102             6,972 
     Intangible assets - 
      additions                             832                192               -               370             1,394 
 

Period ended 30 June 2022 unaudited

 
                                              Germany             USA        Russia             UK           Total 
                                              GBP'000         GBP'000       GBP'000        GBP'000         GBP'000 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Income statement 
     Revenue                                   16,283          21,323         2,037            927          40,570 
     Inter-segment                            (2,701)           (398)             -              -         (3,099) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     External revenue                          13,582          20,925         2,037            927          37,471 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Adjusted EBITDA*                           4,989           6,911           665        (2,854)           9,711 
     Share-based payment                            -               -             -          (517)           (517) 
     Exceptional items                          (795)           (755)             -          (132)         (1,682) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     EBITDA                                     4,194           6,156           665        (3,503)           7,512 
     Depreciation                               (370)           (898)          (37)          (200)         (1,505) 
     Amortisation                               (468)           (138)             -        (1,250)         (1,856) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Operating profit/(loss)                    3,356           5,120           628        (4,953)           4,151 
     Net finance costs                           (25)             (3)            56           (39)            (11) 
     Income tax                                 (493)           (996)         (158)           (70)         (1,717) 
     Profit/(loss) for the 
      period                                    2,838           4,121           526        (5,062)           2,423 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Segment assets 
     Operating assets                          32,707          89,337         1,047       (16,294)         106,797 
     Inter-segment assets                        (47)        (16,699)             -            203        (16,543) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     External operating assets                 32,660          72,638         1,047       (16,091)          90,254 
     Cash and cash equivalents                  7,833           8,220         2,585            500          19,138 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Total assets                              40,493          80,858         3,632       (15,591)         109,392 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Segment liabilities 
     Operating liabilities                      1,046          24,045           439         14,524          40,054 
     Inter-segment liabilities                  4,986        (19,199)             -        (3,347)        (17,560) 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     External operating liabilities             6,032           4,846           439         11,177          22,494 
     Borrowings                                   222               -             -              -             222 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Total liabilities                          6,254           4,846           439         11,177          22,716 
---------------------------------------  ------------  --------------  ------------  -------------  -------------- 
     Other segmental information 
     Non-current assets - PPE                   6,087          10,445           101          1,537          18,170 
     Non-current assets - Right-of-use 
      assets                                      139           1,072             4            280           1,495 
     Non-current assets - Intangibles          19,600          19,222           117          4,448          43,387 
     Intangible assets -additions                 394             145             -            280             819 
     PPE - additions                              357           1,769             -             41           2,167 
     Right-of-use assets - additions               78              72             -              -             150 
 
 

* Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation adjusted for exceptional items and share-based payments

Russian operations

In the context of an increased level of uncertainty, the Group has exercised critical judgements in applying its accounting policies in whether the Group should continue to consolidate its Russian business. The Group has applied judgement in regards to whether the Group continues to control its Russian subsidiary due to the restrictions imposed by the Russian government or any other authority. Control exists when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the subsidiary and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the subsidiary. The Russian government introduced various sanctions in recent months, including restrictions on the payment of dividends to "unfriendly states" that require consent from the Ministry of Finance of Russia. Since the Group continued to direct the operations and the Russian regulations currently do not prohibit the declaration and payment of dividends, the Group has taken the view that it has retained control through the six months ended 30 June 2023. Were the Group to conclude that it no longer retains control, the Russian operations would be treated as if they had been disposed of, with the associated assets and liabilities derecognised.

In July 2023, the Group sought and gained permission for its Russian entity to commence limited dividend payments, totalling around EUR70,000 per month. There is no certainty how long these payments will be able to continue.

Disclosure of Group revenues by geographic location

 
                                              Unaudited        Unaudited            Audited 
                                               6 months         6 months         Year ended 
                                               ended 30         ended 30        31 December 
                                              June 2023        June 2022               2022 
                                                 GBP000           GBP000             GBP000 
 
     Americas 
     United States of America                    10,832           17,620             30,941 
     Rest of Americas                             1,689            1,771              4,126 
     Europe, Middles East and Africa 
      (EMEA) 
     Germany                                      4,248            4,245              8,001 
     United Kingdom                                 374            1,165              1,886 
     Ireland                                      1,006            5,229              5,253 
     Rest of Europe                               2,207            1,641              3,715 
     Russia                                       1,690            2,037              4,202 
     Middle East                                    859              561              1,449 
     Africa                                       1,340              656              1,945 
     Asia and Rest of World 
     China                                          640              538              1,014 
     Rest of Asia and Oceania                     1,987            2,008              4,103 
     Total Revenue                               26,872           37,471             66,635 
                                        ===============  ===============  ================= 
 

Revenue by business segment, which is presented for illustrative purposes only, is as follows:

 
                                 Unaudited        Unaudited 
                                  6 months         6 months 
                                  ended 30         ended 30 
                                 June 2023        June 2022 
                                   GBP'000          GBP'000         +/- % 
     Continuing business 
     Point-of-Care                  16,627           15,093         10.2% 
     Life Sciences                   8,511           15,244       (44.2%) 
     Other*                          1,734            7,134       (78.2%) 
                                                             ------------ 
     Total revenue                  26,872           37,471       (28.3%) 
                           ---------------  ---------------  ------------ 
 
   4.              Exceptional items 

Included within administration expenses and cost of sales are exceptional items as shown below:

 
                                                                                Unaudited       Unaudited        Audited 
                                                                                 6 months        6 months           year 
                                                                                 ended 30        ended 30          ended 
                                                                                June 2023       June 2022             31 
                                                                                                                December 
                                                                                                                    2022 
                                                                    Note           GBP000          GBP000         GBP000 
 
     Exceptional items include: 
 
   *    Deferred consideration and settlement of warranty 
        claim                                                         a                 -               -              2 
 
   *    Business reorganisation costs - other charged to cost 
        of sales                                                      b             (196)         (1,499)        (6,774) 
 
   *    Business reorganisation costs - Impairment                    c             (671)           (183)       (10,384) 
 
   *    Business reorganisation costs - other charged to 
        operating expenses                                            d             (342)               -          (369) 
     Exceptional items                                                            (1,209)         (1,682)       (17,525) 
                                                                           --------------  --------------  ------------- 
 

a. Change in the value of deferred consideration relating to the acquisition of Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory LLC.

b. Costs associated with the transition and restructure of certain operations in the US, UK and Germany, which have been charged to cost of sales. The costs include provisions against certain COVID-19 related and other inventory and provisions for certain onerous contracts following the decision to focus on its other businesses.

c. Impairments associated with the transition and restructure of certain operations in the US, UK and Germany, which have been charged to operating expenses.

d. Costs associated with the transition and restructure of certain operations in the US, UK and Germany, which have been charged to operating expenses.

   5.   Income tax 
 
                                            Unaudited        Unaudited            Audited 
                                             6 months         6 months         Year ended 
                                                ended            ended        31 December 
                                                   30               30               2022 
                                            June 2023        June 2022 
                                               GBP000           GBP000             GBP000 
     Current tax 
     Current tax on profit for 
      the period                                  431            1,692              2,815 
     Adjustments for prior periods                (9)                -                 62 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
     Total current tax                            422            1,692              2,877 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
 
     Deferred tax 
     Origination and reversal of 
      temporary differences                     (278)               25            (2,243) 
     Total deferred tax                         (278)               25            (2,243) 
                                      ---------------  ---------------  ----------------- 
     Income tax charge                            144            1,717                634 
                                      ===============  ===============  ================= 
 
   6.   Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.

Diluted profit per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding assuming conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company has one category of dilutive potential ordinary share, being share options. In August 2023 the remaining share options lapsed. The Company is holding 1,200,000 ordinary shares in treasury. These shares have therefore been excluded from the earnings per share calculation.

 
 
                                                   Unaudited         Unaudited 
                                                    6 months          6 months            Audited 
                                                    ended 30             ended         year ended 
                                                   June 2023           30 June        31 December 
                                                                          2022               2022 
                                                     GBP'000           GBP'000            GBP'000 
 (Loss)/profit attributable 
  to owners of the parent                              (358)             2,213           (10,101) 
                                            ----------------  ----------------  ----------------- 
     Weighted average number of 
      ordinary shares 
      in issue                                   454,492,995       459,474,072        457,180,086 
     Assumed conversion of share 
      awards                                               -             4,987                  - 
     Assumed payment of equity deferred 
      consideration                                        -           157,580                  - 
                                                                                ----------------- 
     Weighted average number of 
      ordinary shares - diluted                  454,492,995       459,636,639        457,180,186 
                                                              ----------------  ----------------- 
 
                                                       Pence             Pence              Pence 
 
     Basic                                            (0.08)              0.48             (2.21) 
 
     Diluted                                          (0.08)              0.48             (2.21) 
 
   7.   Property, plant and equipment 
 
     Group 
                                         Fixtures                                                            Right-of-use 
                         Land and             and       Plant and           Motor        Assets under              assets 
                        buildings        fittings       machinery        vehicles       construct-ion             GBP'000                 Total 
                          GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000             GBP'000                                   GBP'000 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----  ------------- 
     Cost 
     At 1 January 
      2022                 10,711           2,012          13,188             160               2,470               3,010                  31,551 
     Additions                304             101             683               -               1,079                 150                   2,317 
     Transfers                  -             215           (215)               -                   -                   -                       - 
     Disposal                   -               -           (213)               -                   -               (207)                   (420) 
     Exchange 
      differences             694              72             951              79                 255                 192                   2,243 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
     At 30 June 
      2022                 11,709           2,400          14,394             239               3,804               3,145                  35,691 
     Additions                260              32             905              48               3,158                 252                   4,655 
     Transfers                 40           (205)             608               -               (443)                   -                       - 
     Disposals                (3)           (363)         (1,064)            (20)               (125)                (78)                 (1,653) 
     Exchange 
      differences             144             108              34            (57)                  21                   3                     253 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
     At 31 
      December 
      2022                 12,150           1,972          14,877             210               6,415               3,322                  38,946 
     Additions              1,033              23           1,432               -                 857                  52                   3,397 
     Transfers                 88               -             636               -               (724)                   -                       - 
     Disposal                 (5)           (403)         (1,676)               -                 (8)               (960)                 (3,052) 
     Discontinued 
      operations                -               -               -               -                   -               (176)                   (176) 
     Exchange 
      differences           (435)            (48)           (516)            (44)               (296)               (127)                 (1,466) 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----  --------------- 
     At 30 June 
      2023                 12,831           1,544          14,753             166               6,244               2,111                  35,538 
 
     Depreciation 
     At 1 January 
      2022                  2,595           1,249           8,625              81                   -               1,135                  13,685 
     Exchange 
      differences             222              50             666              43                   -                  67                   1,048 
     Disposal                   -               -           (188)               -                   -               (207)                   (395) 
     Impairment                 -               -              51               -                   -                 132                     183 
     Transfers                  -             194           (194)               -                   -                   -                       - 
     Charge for 
      the period              255             158             555              14                   -                 523                   1,505 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----  --------------- 
     At 30 June 
      2022                  3,072           1,651           9,515             138                   -               1,650                  16,026 
     Exchange 
      differences               4             100            (55)            (33)                   -                (15)                       1 
     Disposal                 (3)           (336)         (1,029)            (14)                   -                (64)                 (1,466) 
     Impairment                 1               -           1,078               -                   -                (21)                   1,058 
     Transfers                  -           (194)             194               -                   -                   -                       - 
     Charge for 
      the period              270             150             694            (14)                   -                 493                   1,593 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------ 
     At 31 
      December 
      2022                  3,344           1,371          10,397              77                   -               2,043                  17,232 
     Exchange 
      differences           (143)            (31)           (352)            (16)                   -                (74)                   (616) 
     Disposal                 (5)           (378)         (1,499)               -                   -               (960)                 (2,842) 
     Impairment                 -               -               -               -                   -                 353                     353 
     Transfers                 18               -            (18)               -                   -                   -                       - 
     Charge for 
      the period              310             193             682              11                   -                 394                   1,590 
                                                                                                                           -----  --------------- 
     At 30 June 
      2023                  3,524           1,155           9,211              72                   -               1,604                  15,566 
                    -------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  ------------------  ------------------  -----  --------------- 
 
 
 
     Net book value 
     30 June 2023            9,307       389       5,542        94       6,244         507         22,083 
                                                                                            ------------- 
     31 December 2022        8,806       601       4,480       133       6,415       1,279         21,714 
                        ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
     30 June 2022            8,637       749       4,879       101       3,804       1,495         19,665 
                        ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  ----------  ------------- 
 
 
   8.   Intangible Fixed Assets 
 
     Group 
                                         Trademarks 
                                              trade 
                                            names &            Customer          Trade        Develop-ment        Software 
                        Good-will          licences       relationships        secrets               costs         GBP'000           Total 
                          GBP'000           GBP'000             GBP'000        GBP'000             GBP'000                         GBP'000 
                    -------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  ------------------  --------------   ------------- 
     Cost 
     At 1 January 
      2022                 28,558             4,284              15,706         17,328               5,023           3,370            74,269 
     Additions                  -                15                   -              -                 802               2               819 
     Disposal                   -                 -                   -              -                   -               -                 - 
     Impairment           (1,177)                 -                   -        (3,950)                (28)               -           (5,155) 
     Exchange 
      differences           1,553               296               1,422            355                 257             359             4,242 
     At 30 June 
      2022                 28,934             4,595              17,128         13,733               6,054           3,731            74,175 
     Additions                  -              (15)                   -              -                 590               -               575 
     Disposals                  -                 -                   -              -               (570)            (25)             (595) 
     Exchange 
      differences             442                52                 145            317                  92              25             1,073 
     At 31 
      December 
      2022                 29,376             4,632              17,273         14,050               6,166           3,731            75,228 
     Additions                  -                15                   -              -                 118               5               138 
     Disposal             (4,161)             (517)             (1,293)              -               (427)         (2,975)           (9,373) 
     Transfer                   -               726                   -          (520)               (206)               -                 - 
     Exchange 
      differences           (911)             (211)               (739)          (366)               (182)            (94)           (2,503) 
                    -------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  ------------------  --------------   --------------- 
     At 30 June 
      2023                 24,304             4,645              15,241         13,164               5,469             667            63,490 
                    -------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  ------------------  --------------   --------------- 
 
     Amortisation 
     At 1 January 
      2022                  1,177             3,021              11,825         14,664               1,579             109            32,375 
     Exchange 
      differences               -               205               1,066            292                 126              23             1,712 
     Disposal                   -                 -                   -              -                   -               -                 - 
     Impairment           (1,177)                 -                   -        (3,950)                (28)               -           (5,155) 
     Charge for 
      the period                -               110                 705            494                 228             319             1,856 
                    -------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  ------------------  --------------   --------------- 
     At 30 June 
      2022                      -             3,336              13,596         11,500               1,905             451            30,788 
     Exchange 
      differences               -                31                 100            246                  24            (10)               391 
     Disposal                   -                 -                   -              -               (598)               -             (598) 
     Impairment             4,254               463               1,157              -                 636           2,661             9,171 
     Charge for 
      the period                -               217                 733            268                 244             242             1,704 
     At 31 
      December 
      2022                  4,254             4,047              15,586         12,014               2,211           3,344            41,456 
     Exchange 
      differences            (93)             (154)               (668)          (323)               (129)            (78)           (1,445) 
     Disposal             (4,161)             (517)             (1,293)              -               (423)         (2,975)           (9,369) 
     Charge for 
      the period                -               208                 620            191                 584              81             1,684 
                    -------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  ------------------  --------------   --------------- 
     At 30 June 
      2023                      -             3,584              14,245         11,882               2,243             372            32,326 
                    -------------  ----------------  ------------------  -------------  ------------------  --------------   --------------- 
 
 
 
     Net book value 
     30 June 2023            24,304       1,061         996       1,282       3,226         295       31,164 
                        -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
     31 December 2022        25,122         585       1,687       2,036       3,955         387       33,772 
                        -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
     30 June 2022            28,934       1,259       3,532       2,233       4,149       3,280       43,387 
                        -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
   9.            Disposal 

In March 2023 Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory LLC, which traded as ADL Health, was sold to a company controlled by its Chief Executive.

The summary results from this business in the period from 1 January 2023 to disposal are as follows:

 
                                          Advanced 
                                        Diagnostic 
                                        Laboratory 
                                            GBP000 
 
     Revenue                                   475 
     Cost of sales                           (505) 
                                  ---------------- 
     Gross loss                               (30) 
 
     Administrative expenses                 (114) 
 
     Net loss for the period                 (144) 
                                  ---------------- 
 
     Depreciation included in 
      administrative expenses                   55 
 
   10.          Dividends 

A dividend to shareholders of the holding company of 1.2p per ordinary share has been provided during the period following shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting of the Company in May 2023 (six months to 30 June 2022 and year to 31 December 2022: both 1.2p). It will be paid on Friday 1 December 2023 to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on Friday 3 November 2023.

   10.          Availability of this announcement 

This announcement and the Group's Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 are available from the Company's website, www.ekfdiagnostics.com . If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Interim Report, please contact the EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc offices on +44 (0)29 2071 0570 to request a copy.

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