Stock Markets January 27, 2026

EKF Diagnostics posts modest revenue rise and near 10% adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025

Company reports revenue of £51.6m and adjusted EBITDA of £12.4m while advancing a five-year strategy centered on point-of-care hematology, β-HB supply and Life Sciences transformation

By Jordan Park
EKF Diagnostics posts modest revenue rise and near 10% adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc reported a 3% year-over-year increase in revenue to £51.6 million for fiscal 2025, with adjusted EBITDA climbing nearly 10% to £12.4 million, consistent with consensus estimates. The results were supported by growth across Point-of-Care, Life Sciences and β-HB sales, improved gross margins and sustained cash generation despite active share buy-backs and strategic investments.

Key Points

  • EKF reported full-year 2025 revenue of £51.6 million, a 3% increase year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA of £12.4 million, up nearly 10%, in line with consensus.
  • Division growth was broad-based: Point-of-Care rose 6.5%, Life Sciences grew 7.2%, and β-HB sales improved 10%; a fermentation development agreement added revenue late in 2025 and will continue into 2026. Sectors impacted include diagnostics, life sciences and broader healthcare markets.
  • Gross margins improved to 51% from 48% in 2024, and cash balances increased to £15.8 million at year-end despite deploying funds for share buy-backs and strategic investments.

EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc (AIM:EKF) released its full-year trading update for 2025, showing a 3% rise in revenue to £51.6 million and adjusted EBITDA up almost 10% to £12.4 million, matching consensus expectations. Management characterized the set of results as a firm base for the groups announced five-year growth strategy.

The strategy outlined by the company centers on three priorities: becoming the global leader in Point-of-Care Hematology testing, consolidating its position in the supply of beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), and reshaping its Life Sciences division into a world-class Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization, or CDMO.


Division-level performance

Point-of-Care revenues recorded a 6.5% increase for the period, while the Life Sciences segment expanded by 7.2%. Sales of β-HB improved by 10%. These gains contributed to the overall revenue lift to £51.6 million.

The company also noted the signing of a new fermentation development agreement with a prominent diagnostics customer. EKF said this contract added incremental revenues late in 2025 and that the contribution will extend into 2026.


Margins, cash and capital allocation

Gross margins strengthened to 51% in 2025, up from 48% in 2024. EKF reported cash balances of £15.8 million at December 31, 2025, compared with £14.3 million at the end of 2024, indicating continued cash generation through the year.

The company achieved this level of cash after deploying £5.1 million for share buy-backs and making investments aligned with its strategic development plan. Separately, EKF disclosed that since the start of its current buy-back programme it has acquired 21,150,452 ordinary shares at an average price of 25.13 pence per share. Those purchases represent 5% of available shares and were made at an aggregate cost of £5.3 million.


Outlook and context

EKF described the 2025 results as providing a strong foundation for its medium-term ambitions in Point-of-Care Hematology, β-HB supply and the Life Sciences CDMO transition. The company highlighted the fermentation development agreement as a source of additional revenue into 2026.

No guidance changes beyond the strategic priorities were disclosed in the trading update.

Risks

  • Execution risk tied to the companys five-year plan to become a global leader in Point-of-Care Hematology and to transform its Life Sciences division into a CDMO - the update sets the objectives but does not detail milestones or timelines for achieving them. This affects the diagnostics and contract manufacturing sectors.
  • Revenue dependence on new commercial agreements - the fermentation development agreement contributed additional revenues late in 2025 and will continue into 2026, creating some reliance on the continuation and delivery of such contracts for near-term revenue growth, which impacts the diagnostics and life sciences markets.
  • Capital allocation and liquidity considerations - EKF deployed £5.1 million toward share buy-backs and investments and has spent an aggregate £5.3 million on 21,150,452 ordinary shares. Continued buy-backs and investment activity could influence available cash for operations and strategic initiatives in the healthcare and biotech sectors.

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