Healthcare small-caps split between clinical adoption news and a steady trading update on Thursday. Ondine Biomedical secured its first foothold in a major Scottish surgical centre, while Ekf Diagnostics Holdings confirmed first-half trading held in line with expectations even as its shares slipped.
Steriwave gains foothold at Scotland's busiest orthopaedic centre
Ondine Biomedical (OBI), trading at 13.75p, has had its Steriwave nasal photodisinfection therapy adopted by NHS Golden Jubilee, the UK's largest hip and knee replacement centre, as part of its surgical infection-prevention pathway. The adoption marks Steriwave's entry into a Scottish hospital setting and extends its use in reducing surgical site infection risk at one of the busiest orthopaedic units in the country.
The deal gives Ondine Biomedical a reference site within a high-volume NHS environment, a credential that could support further uptake across other UK surgical centres focused on infection control ahead of elective procedures.
Ekf Diagnostics holds guidance on flat revenue, better margins
Ekf Diagnostics Holdings (EKF) confirmed first-half revenue was broadly flat year-on-year, with margin and cash generation both improving over the period. The company said full-year expectations remain unchanged, a steady update that nonetheless came against a backdrop of shares easing to 25.3p, down 2.69% on the day.
The improved cash generation and margin profile suggest tighter cost control is offsetting subdued top-line growth, with management signalling no change to the trajectory investors have been guided toward for the full year.
