Xwell, Ginkgo rise after adding flu viruses to genomic surveillance program

XWELL

17/01/2023 15:48

** Shares of biotech firm Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings Inc
 DNA.N  up 2.7% at $1.9
    ** Shares of health and wellness holding co Xwell Inc
 XWEL.O  rise 5% to $0.41
    ** Cos expand the scope of Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's (CDC) traveler-based genomic surveillance program
to include detection of flu viruses, in addition to SARS-CoV-2
    ** The surveillance program is a public-private partnership
between CDC, Ginkgo's biosecurity and public health unit
Concentric and XpresCheck by Xwell Inc
    ** The expansion is in the form of a pilot study to monitor
influenza virus variants, in the COVID surveillance program
being used since August 2021
    ** Program aims to serve as additional source of viral
surveillance to help in selection of strain for influenza
vaccine for the 2023-2024 flu season 
    ** In last 12 months, DNA has declined 67%, while XWEL has
dropped 75%
 (Reporting by Aditya Samal)
 ((Aditya.Samal@thomsonreuters.com;))