Avacta’s Optim exceeds sales hopes

The Wetherby-based group, which develops devices to help pharmaceutical companies speed up and cut the cost of developing new drugs, said it has exceeded market expectations for sales of its flagship Optim device. Avacta said during the year to the end of July, 14 of the systems have been ordered, and it already has orders for the new financial year plus an “encouraging pipeline of high-quality sales leads in place”. The group has sealed tie-ups with distributors around the world, which it hopes will grow sales.

In its animal health arm, delays to the manufacture and injection moulding of its AX-1 disposable cartridges have now been resolved. Avacta said it is building stock of the AX-1 units and their new cartridges, and will start supplying the diagnostic system later this year. The group added it has appointed Ged Holmes as chief executive of its animal health arm. He will be responsible for the roll-out and commercialisation of the AX-1 device.