(Alliance News) - Novacyt SA on Wednesday noted that a court has dismissed an summary judgment application by the UK Department of Health & Social Care regarding the latter's case against Novacyt and Primer Design Ltd over a contract dispute.

In April 2022, the Paris-based biotechnology group focused on clinical diagnostics was notified that the DHSC had issued a claim for GBP134.6 million. In June 2022, Novacyt filed a defence of the claim made and a counterclaim of GBP81.5 million against the DHSC.

Primer Design designs and sells products for polymerase chain reaction, or PCR. Covid tests commonly use PCR.

On Wednesday, Novacyt said a pre-trial review was heard at court on Tuesday, with judge dismissing the DHSC application for summary judgment. The pre-trial review has now concluded, with the trial hearing listed to begin on June 10 and finish on July 4.

Novacyt expects the court to reserve judgment, meaning that the outcome of the trial will not be known on July 4.

Last month, Novacyt said it anticipated the DHSC summary judgment application to be dismissed, after taking legal advice and deeming the application to be "very weak" with low prospects of success

Shares in Novacyt were up 4.0% to 74.86 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News senior reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.