Fluidigm Obtains European CE Mark approval for Advanta Platform

Fluidigm, a diagnostics company using microfluidics technology and working in the area of disease diagnostics has seen its fortunes go through wild swings in the past year during the Coronavirus pandemic. Today, the company announced via press release the approval of a CE marking for its Advanta platform. For sales in Europe, this is a major step. 

Fluidigm Corporation (Nasdaq:FLDM), an innovative biotechnology tools provider with a vision to improve life through comprehensive health insight, today announced that the company has received the CE-IVD mark for its Advanta™ Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay, an extraction-free saliva-based test to detect nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The CE-IVD mark is in conformance with the European Union In Vitro Diagnostic Directive. The Advanta Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay does not require collection via invasive nasopharyngeal swab, and the company’s clinical studies for submission demonstrated 100 percent agreement between saliva results from the Advanta Dx Assay and results from paired nasopharyngeal samples tested with authorized assays. A growing body of peer-reviewed research is confirming that the accuracy of saliva-based COVID-19 testing is comparable to that of nasopharyngeal-based collection. 

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine in January 2021 stated that saliva-based tests have a similar sensitivity and specificity and present an attractive alternative to invasive nasopharyngeal testing. Intended Use The Advanta™ Dx SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay is a reverse transcription (RT) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in saliva from patients who are suspected of COVID-19.

Analysis: This indicates the opening of a new market in Europe, and sales associated this. Read more on it here: https://investors.fluidigm.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fluidigm-receives-ce-ivd-mark-its-saliva-based-advanta-dx-sars

More on the CE marking: https://europa.eu/youreurope/business/product-requirements/labels-markings/ce-marking/index_en.htm

Fluidigm Stock Could end up Sideways for a while

 Disclosure: I have been long on Fluidigm for almost a year and currently hold some in my portfolio,

Fluidigm is a 

Others in the space include Vault Health, a test provider that has contracts with many state governments. They are billing the test at $119 per test, which is the same as the LabCorp $119 test. I have nt done detailed research in this area, but this number might  be the result of government reimbursement limits/caps/profit maximums etc. I did some digging around and it looks like the pricing is a direct result of trying to be competitive to LabCorp's nasal swab (at home sample collection) test.

See: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/vault-reduces-price-home-saliva-140000693.html?.tsrc=fin-srch

Stanford however launched its own low cost saliva-based test and is enrolling 

Fluidigm got its FDA authorization in late August (Opens new window pdf download)

Vault's Original FDA EUA was issued in April and is available for download here (Opens new window).

Other names for Vault's test:

Other Brand Name(s)

• Vault Health COVID-19 Test
• USGC Saliva Test Kit, hims/hers Saliva Test Kit
• BioIQ COVID-19 Saliva Test
• Concentric by Ginkgo
• 1health.io Zero Contact
• Base10 Saliva Test Kit
• Purlab. Saliva Test Kit
• Reliant Saliva Test Kit
• E7 Health Saliva Test Kit
• miinehealth Saliva Test Kit
• Maverick Saliva Test Kit
• SDTL Saliva Test Kit
• AZOVA At-Home COVID-19 Test Collection Ki

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-legal-regulatory-and-policy-framework/emergency-use-authorization

Kentucky Derby 2020 - Picks

DERBY DAY!

Don't think we will see many hats in the stands, but people will probably be doing small scale derby parties with hats at home. Weather looks good so far today.

I have nt been posting picks of late, but it is Kentucky Derby weekend and one of my friends texted me and asked for picks. 

So here goes... (You can bet on Twinspires app or website- Sign up here to get a free $10 bet)

Full list of entries including Jockey, trainer names can be found at the Equibase site. (new window)

 4: Storm the Court (Morning line: 50-1)

This horse has generally been a front running style horse, Can he manage to hold the pace for mile and quarter? We will have to wait and see! Most recenty came 2nd in the LaJolla Handicap and 3rd in the Ohio Derby. He did win the BC Juvenile last year as a 2 year old but since then no major achievements. But since the Derby is later this year (not May but Sep) I want to add him as a wildcard.

 8: South Bend (Morning line: 50-1)

This is a simple no nonsense horse. The trainer is a highly respected trainer Bill Mott and a decent jockey on board.  Has a 2nd in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. While normally it may not be a big thing, you have to realize it was a decent sized field of 13 horses and this horse closed well and was ahead of today's #4 Storm the Court.

 12: Sole Volante - I've got a feeling on this one. (Morning line: 30-1 )

This horse came 2nd in the Grade 2 Tampa Derby in February trailing as the 11th in a field of 12, but then covered ground well to arrive at 2nd placing and was narrowing the gap. Since then this gelding has only won an optional claimer then performed poorly at the Belmont (run at a shortened 1 1/8 miles this year). The extra distance might help the closing style of this horse.

I would just bet this one to win, and a show maybe. Also see the strategy for 15. 

 15: Ny Traffic (Morning line: 20-1)

 this horse had been consistent in top 3 recently even in large fields. The strategy for this horse would be probably be to bet a safe win ($10 bucks?) and, 

also a $1 Exacta with 15 on top, with 4, 8, 12, 16, 17. This underneath. This is risking $5 but the payoff could be nice. 

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16. Honor A.P. (Morning line: 5-1)

This one is only 5-1 and the second favorite, but seems consistent to me. If you want some type of winning ticket, betting across the board on this (Win-Place-Show aka WPS) might be one strategy.

But it's short odds still on him, and of course the race favorite (17: Tiz the Law) will probably go even odds. He is definitely the one to beat, but the Derby is challenging and crowded race and surprising things can always happen! 

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 Have fun betting! Thank you!!

** this post contains referral links that may earn me a small commission or a free bet.

Best Discount Broker

Updated: April 3, 2019

Well, currently that would be Sogotrade. They have a lightning fast interface, inexpensive trade commission structure and a neat referral program.

They don't have a large marketing budget but they provide great service. The only reason I am writing this is because now and then people ask me this question and having used several brokers over the years (Scottrade, Acorns, Sogotrade, OptionsXpress, Zecco --> TradeKing and MB Trading (last 2 both now with Ally Invest)), I feel that the best and simplest happens to be Sogotrade, with a little bit of effort.

MB Trading used to be great for sophisticated investing but it is too much work to learn for regular long term buyers.

I am also in the process of evaluating Interactive Brokers, and once I evaluate them and also obtain a referring relationship, plan to add links here.

So the simple verdict is Sogotrade. However, if you want the comfort of a nearby office, then Sogotrade is good (now owned by Ameritrade)

Keeneland Opens Coming Weekend

Keeneland Racetrack opens Friday Oct 2. Straight off the bat, they have the FallStars meet with Nine Graded Races coming up. These include some of the well known stakes such as the Shadwell Turf Mile G1, Woodford (G3), Darley Aliciabades G1, Juddmonte Spinster G1, First Lady G1.

Read more about it on the track website: http://www.keeneland.com/fallstars

The full list of the stakes over this weekend is reproduced below:

Friday, Oct. 2Darley Alcibiades G1VIEW PROBABLES

Friday, Oct. 2Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix G3VIEW PROBABLES

Saturday, Oct. 3Claiborne Breeders Futurity G1VIEW PROBABLES

Saturday, Oct. 3Shadwell Turf Mile G1VIEW PROBABLES

Saturday, Oct. 3First Lady G1VIEW PROBABLES

Saturday, Oct. 3Thoroughbred Club of America G2VIEW PROBABLES

Saturday, Oct. 3Woodford Stakes (G3) VIEW PROBABLES

Sunday, Oct. 4Juddmonte Spinster G1VIEW PROBABLES

Sunday, Oct. 4Dixiana Bourbon G3VIEW PROBABLES

Exciting times lay ahead as this meet brings several additional stakes with the grand Breeders Cup Championships coming during Oct 29-31.

HANDICAPPING

Keeneland’s handicapping tool is a free database designed especially for horseplayers who want detailed information. Updated at the end of each race day, the database offers detailed information on the individual winners of every Keeneland race since October 2006, including weather, position at key junctures of the race, last start information and much more.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE HANDICAPPING DATABASE

The database is

1. Sortable
2. Downloadable
3. Allows handicappers to chose the criteria they think is important when wagering on Keeneland live racing

The only issue with the database is that it features most of the data on the (past) All weather track. Keeneland has a new dirt track in place, so pay careful attention to the opening weekend to gather clues for the meet. 

HOT TIP:  Definitely pay lot of attention to Shipper Statistics for trainers, that will be very useful this time around.

BRIS TIP:  For Friday Oct 2 BRIS PPs for Race 1, 5 and 7 - Check out these Malibu Moon offspring PPs

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatch.cgi/public/SpendThrift/MALIBU+MOON/1997/summary.html