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Hologic (HOLX) Gets Additional FDA Nod, to Aid HIV Testing
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Hologic, Inc. (HOLX - Free Report) recently announced that the FDA has approved a diagnostic claim for its HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) viral load monitoring assay– the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay. This has made the assay the first dual-claim assay for both diagnosis and viral load monitoring in the United States.
For investors’ note, the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay is a molecular diagnostic test that runs on the fully automated sample-to-result Panther system and was approved in late 2016 for viral load monitoring.
With the recent regulatory approval, Hologic aims to strengthen its Diagnostics business on a global scale.
Significance of the Approval
The Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay, which is also CE IVD-marked for both diagnostic and viral load monitoring claims, utilizes a dual target approach against highly conserved regions in the HIV genome (the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism). The assay has been designed to offer reliable and consistent qualitative and quantitative results across HIV-1 groups and subtypes.
Per management, this new claim for the company’s highly sensitive and reliable HIV test has the potential to improve patient care. Hologic also believes that a simultaneous viral load measurement with diagnosis will enable healthcare providers to guide treatment choices for patients to commence therapy at the earliest. The dual claim will also help Hologic’s clinical laboratory customers, those who are constantly seeking to combine their testing onto one automated platform.
Industry Prospects
Per a report by Grand View Research, the global molecular diagnostics market was valued at $9.2 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $18.2 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 9%. Factors like increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and technological advancements in molecular diagnostics are expected to drive the market.
Given the market potential, the regulatory amendment is expected to significantly boost Hologic’s Diagnostics business globally.
Recent Developments in Diagnostics Arm
Of late, Hologic has witnessed a series of developments in its Diagnostics business.
The company, this month, received the CE Mark in Europe for its new Genius Digital Diagnostics System, the first digital cytology platform that combines a new A.I. algorithm with advanced digital imaging. Also this month, Hologic confirmed that the Diagnostics business had performed robustly, mainly due to the unprecedented surge in COVID-19-related testing during its earnings call.
Hologic, in October, announced the amendment of the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) that was initially received for its Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay in May.
In September, Hologic announced that its CE-marked Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay has been awarded World Health Organization prequalification for testing of dried blood spot samples. The same month, Hologic received the EUA for its Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assay, which is another molecular diagnostic test for COVID-19.
Price Performance
Shares of the company have gained 31.7% in the past year compared with the industry and S&P 500’s 11.8% and 16.1% growth, respectively.
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Currently, Hologic flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
A few other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are ResMed Inc. (RMD - Free Report) , Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO - Free Report) and Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN - Free Report) .
Thermo Fisher’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 18%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Align Technology’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 18.3%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2021.
Image: Bigstock
Hologic (HOLX) Gets Additional FDA Nod, to Aid HIV Testing
Hologic, Inc. (HOLX - Free Report) recently announced that the FDA has approved a diagnostic claim for its HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) viral load monitoring assay– the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay. This has made the assay the first dual-claim assay for both diagnosis and viral load monitoring in the United States.
For investors’ note, the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay is a molecular diagnostic test that runs on the fully automated sample-to-result Panther system and was approved in late 2016 for viral load monitoring.
With the recent regulatory approval, Hologic aims to strengthen its Diagnostics business on a global scale.
Significance of the Approval
The Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay, which is also CE IVD-marked for both diagnostic and viral load monitoring claims, utilizes a dual target approach against highly conserved regions in the HIV genome (the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism). The assay has been designed to offer reliable and consistent qualitative and quantitative results across HIV-1 groups and subtypes.
Per management, this new claim for the company’s highly sensitive and reliable HIV test has the potential to improve patient care. Hologic also believes that a simultaneous viral load measurement with diagnosis will enable healthcare providers to guide treatment choices for patients to commence therapy at the earliest. The dual claim will also help Hologic’s clinical laboratory customers, those who are constantly seeking to combine their testing onto one automated platform.
Industry Prospects
Per a report by Grand View Research, the global molecular diagnostics market was valued at $9.2 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $18.2 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 9%. Factors like increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and technological advancements in molecular diagnostics are expected to drive the market.
Given the market potential, the regulatory amendment is expected to significantly boost Hologic’s Diagnostics business globally.
Recent Developments in Diagnostics Arm
Of late, Hologic has witnessed a series of developments in its Diagnostics business.
The company, this month, received the CE Mark in Europe for its new Genius Digital Diagnostics System, the first digital cytology platform that combines a new A.I. algorithm with advanced digital imaging. Also this month, Hologic confirmed that the Diagnostics business had performed robustly, mainly due to the unprecedented surge in COVID-19-related testing during its earnings call.
Hologic, in October, announced the amendment of the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) that was initially received for its Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay in May.
In September, Hologic announced that its CE-marked Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay has been awarded World Health Organization prequalification for testing of dried blood spot samples. The same month, Hologic received the EUA for its Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2 assay, which is another molecular diagnostic test for COVID-19.
Price Performance
Shares of the company have gained 31.7% in the past year compared with the industry and S&P 500’s 11.8% and 16.1% growth, respectively.
Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks
Currently, Hologic flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
A few other top-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are ResMed Inc. (RMD - Free Report) , Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO - Free Report) and Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN - Free Report) .
ResMed’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 14.5%. The company presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Thermo Fisher’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 18%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
Align Technology’s long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 18.3%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2021.
Click here for the 6 trades >>