VOGO (EPA:ALVGO) - VOGO : EasyCOV: French Ministry of Health and Solidarity approves social security reimbursement for the saliva-based Covid-19 test.

Transparency directive : regulatory news

07/01/2021 08:00

PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 07 January 2021

EasyCOV: French Ministry of Health and Solidarity approves social security
reimbursement for the saliva-based Covid-19 test

Large-scale commercialisation of the test gains pace in France and
internationally

On January 5th 2021, the French Ministry of Health and Solidarity approved
reimbursement via the social security system of the EasyCOV saliva-based test
for Covid-19, with publication in the Official Journal of the ruling of
December 28th 2020. This decision followed the opinion issued by France's
National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé, HAS) on November 28th
2020.

The ruling recommends use and reimbursement of the EasyCOV test in symptomatic
patients for whom a nose and throat swab would be impossible or difficult.
EasyCOV is therefore fully recognised as a lab test at the heart of diagnostic
and detection strategies for Covid-19. The consortium developing and marketing
the device - made up of the biotechnology company SkillCell (Alcen group),
Sys2DiaG laboratory (CNRS/Alcen) and the company Vogo - has therefore reached a
new stage in the roll-out of EasyCOV. The decision by the Ministry of Health
and Solidarity will thereby help speed up its commercial deployment in France
and internationally.

Simple, rapid and effective: key strengths to support large-scale diagnostic
and detection strategies for Covid-19

Given the current health crisis, the EasyCOV test has key, recognised strengths
in terms of simplicity, speed and effectiveness.

As a reminder, EasyCOV is a viral RNA detection tool that is easier and faster
(40 min) than RT-PCR testing. The RT-LAMP technique on which EasyCOV is based
can amplify viral RNA, and then reveal whether it is present in a saliva sample
after two heating periods of 10 minutes at 80°C then 29 minutes at 65°C,
respectively. Results are accessed via a digital application, using colour
coding.

The saliva sample should be taken by a health professional. The test analysis
stage can be done by a medical laboratory (at the lab or any venue that can
ensure adequate health safety and quality) or by a doctor (GP practice, health
centre or care home). A positive result should be confirmed by a saliva RT PCR
test.

Ready to take off in France and internationally

After the positive assessment by the HAS and decision by the Ministry of Health
and Solidarity, SkillCell and Vogo have a new drive to speed up marketing of
EasyCOV, after a very promising start to order- taking in the second half of
2020.

In France, renewed sales efforts will focus on markets where EasyCOV's
strengths make the greatest difference. From this perspective, the following
will be targeted in particular:

- Elderly or disabled people in residential or care homes (EHPADS)
- Young children who often find nasopharyngeal samples difficult
- Athletes whose activity requires frequent repeated testing and issues with
nasopharyngeal samples

More widely and internationally, recognition of EasyCOV by the French
authorities will also help speed up sales in various markets such as transport
(airports, rail stations), hospitals, events, companies, and tourism.

As a reminder, the EasyCOV test is produced and marketed by SkillCell, a
subsidiary of the Alcen group. Since the second half of 2020, Vogo has received
royalties, calculated based on the number of tests sold and completed in France
and internationally, for its contribution to the consortium (developing the
automatic results analysis solution and digital portal that works with all
Health information systems).

The EasyCov program is also supported by la Direction Générale de l'Armement
(DGA) and l'Agence de l'Innovation de Défense (AID), and by la Region
Occitanie and l'Agence régionale de développement économique (AD'OCC)
through financial backing in the form of subsidies.

About SKILLCELL
An ALCEN group subsidiary. SkillCell develops in-field diagnostic tests using
its simplicity-centred approach: tests that must be able to be used by anybody,
anywhere and at any time. Founded in Guadeloupe in 2017, the company has
offices in Jarry (Guadeloupe), Paris and Montpellier. The SkillCell team brings
together scientific experts and seasoned manufacturers to find solutions to
medical and societal diagnostic testing issues by providing relevant,
high-quality information that allows users to make well-informed choices with
full transparency.
More information at: www.skillcell-alcen.com
Contact : Nathalie Charousset/+33609264462 - presse@skillcell-alcen.com -

About CNRS
The French National Center for Scientific Research is one of the most
recognized and renowned public research institutions in the world. For more
than 80 years, it has continued to attract talent at the highest level and to
nurture multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects at the
national, European and international levels. Geared towards the public
interest, it contributes to the scientific, economic, social and cultural
progress of France. The CNRS is above all 32,000 women and men, more than 1,000
laboratories in partnership with universities and other higher education
institutions bringing together more than 120,000 employees and 200 professions
that advance knowledge by exploring the living world, matter, the Universe, and
the functioning of human societies. The CNRS ensures that this mission is
carried out in compliance with ethical rules and with a commitment to
professional equality. The close relationship it establishes between its
research missions and the transfer of acquired knowledge to the public makes it
today a key player in innovation in France and around the world. Partnerships
with companies are at the heart of its technology transfer policy, and the
start-ups that have emerged from CNRS laboratories bear witness to the economic
potential of its research. The CNRS provides also access to research findings
and data, and this sharing of knowledge targets many audiences: scientific
communities, the media, decision-makers, economic players, and the general
public.
For more information: www.cnrs.fr
Contact : presse@cnrs.fr

About VOGO
VOGO develops, markets and distributes live & replay, audio and video solutions
for spectators and professionals in sports arenas. VOGO's disruptive solution
for spectators transforms the stadium experience by providing multi-camera
content on demand for viewing on tablets and smartphones, irrespective of the
number of people connected. In the professional sphere, VOGO's video solution
provides analytical and decision-making tools (referee assistance, medical
diagnostics, coaching, etc.). The acquisition of Vokkero(r) in October 2019
enriched this range of video solutions, with the integration of a line of audio
communications systems that has drawn international recognition not just in in
the sporting sphere (more than 20 disciplines) but also in industry, services
and healthcare. All of the Group's technologies have patent protection. VOGO is
present in France (Montpellier, Paris and Crolles) and in North America, with
an office in New York. The Group has been listed on the Euronext Growth stock
market since November 2018 (ISIN code: FR0011532225 - ALVGO).

For more information: www.vogo-group.com

Contacts :

ACTIFIN - Press Relations
Jennifer Jullia
Email : jjullia@actifin.fr

ACTIFIN - Financial Communications
Nicolas Lin/Stéphane Ruiz
Email : nlin@actifin.fr

VOGO's latest news

10/04/2024 19:14

VOGO (EPA:ALVGO) - VOGO : EasyCOV: French Ministry of Health and Solidarity approves social security reimbursement for the saliva-based Covid-19 test.

Transparency directive : regulatory news

VOGO's latest news

Other stories