With a new CEO at the helm, EKF Diagnostics is leading the way in point-of-care diagnostics
In most medical settings, early detection can not only be the key to tackling a health condition early, but it also enables patients to make informed decisions about their care. Committed to delivering high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective tools that provide early detection and accurate diagnosis, EKF Diagnostics (EKF) is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of innovative medical devices and patient-centric solutions.
Designed to provide accessible solutions to healthcare providers in diverse clinical settings like hospitals, clinics, and laboratories, EKF’s products play a vital role in the global healthcare industry. The company’s point-of-care testing (POCT) devices allow healthcare providers to perform rapid tests close to the patient, reducing the need for lab testing and therefore providing quicker results. EKF is also at the forefront of the life sciences sector, providing advanced tools for biotech development, research, and precision medicine. 
“EKF is a group of companies focused on innovative testing and point-of-care diagnostics, that also provides services to the life sciences industry,” opens Gavin Jones, the company’s new CEO. “Our name comes from the company’s German origins – entwicklung, konstruktion, and fetigung, which means development, construction, and manufacturing. Now 35 years old, the German part of the business was acquired by a UK-based holdings company in 2011. Following this acquisition, we went on a quick acquisition journey to grow the business into a much bigger group.
“As we originally manufactured hemoglobin, glucose, and lactate analyzers, we first acquired Quotient Diagnostics, a UK company that produced glycated hemoglobin analyzers, to enhance our diabetes care capabilities. Next, a US company, Standbio Laboratories, was acquired to provide US distribution from a site in Texas, and as part of this deal, we also acquired Standbio Life Sciences in Indiana. This allowed our Texas facility to produce clinical chemistry products from the enzymes produced in Indianna.
“We went on to acquire several more companies to expand our product portfolio, including DiaSpect, a producer of hemoglobin analyzers often used in blood banks to screen for signs of anemia,” he adds. “After consolidating some of these business units, we created well-established divisions for both point-of-care diagnostics for both hematology and diabetes care.”
As the German part of the business has recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, we ask Gavin his reflections on reaching such an impressive milestone. “We had lots of celebrations with as many people as we could, where we talked about the history of the business and what we’ve achieved during the last 35 years,” he says. “With the directors and former CEO present, the celebration events also provided a great opportunity for me to seamlessly and positively transition into the role of CEO.
“There are also other milestones to be proud of, such as producing over 13,000 analyzers for the market last year and over 100 million tests sold. We’ve grown from a German business focused on the European market to a global company with a network of over 120 distributors across more than 100 countries, supporting almost every kind of healthcare system across the globe. It’s crucial to us that we provide products that make a difference to people’s everyday lives and have a positive impact on their health. Our glycated hemoglobin offering, for instance, gives people with diabetes an understanding of where they are in terms of their glycemic control and the long-term impact it will have on their health moving forward.”
EKF has recently relaunched its Biosen C-Line, a series of glucose analyzers, in the sports market, as a dual-channel system that can simultaneously measure lactate. “As a glucose analyzer, the Biosen C-Line primarily serves the diabetes care sector, but since we’ve developed a lactate measurement within the line, it is successfully used in the sports performance field to help athletes extend their lactate threshold,” Gavin explains. “This product is used and well-loved by several Olympic committees and athletes, as well as Premier League football teams. We’ve recently upgraded the aesthetics and interface of the Biosen C-Line by adding some extra connectivity features to ensure the products are easy to use.”
Aside from product development, the company is also investing in its manufacturing capabilities and automation to upgrade its operations and facilities. “Most of our current production lines are custom-made, and were established by our in-house engineering teams, but we recognize that it’s time to drive further efficiency by upgrading our processes,” Gavin suggests. “We’re working with several external partners to better understand how we can enhance our facilities, with an initial focus on our German sites where we manufacture our point-of-care diagnostics products.
“We want to be the number one provider of analysis and diagnostic tools, so we need to invest in the necessary infrastructure to not only increase our capacity but also enhance our efficiency and production process while maintaining the high-quality levels our customers are used to. We’ve also invested in our commercial teams to support this growth strategy and maintain our focus on operational excellence.”
As our conversation draws to an end, Gavin reflects on his first few months as the company’s new CEO and shares his vision for the future. “Although I’ve had the privilege of working at EKF for around 12 years in a number of different roles, I’m honored to have just completed my first quarter as CEO,” he reflects. “I’ve presented lots of new ideas to the board and it’s been a challenging few months, but super exciting and I’m thoroughly enjoying my new role. There’s a lot of positivity across the team and I’m enjoying taking this fantastic company in new directions.
“We’ve got very clear targets over the next five years, spanning revenue, profitability, and new technologies,” Gavin concludes. “With our profit margin currently around 50 percent, we’re looking to implement new technologies to drive further efficiency and profitability. I’d like to see EKF as the leading POCT provider for analyzers, so we’re consistently building a brand in the market and ensuring our teams are aligned with these objectives.”