Avricore Health: Stock Option Grants Signal Executive Confidence as HealthTab™ Aims to Capture a $93 Billion Market Opportunity

Avricore Health Inc. (TSXV: AVCR) has positioned itself at the forefront of the rapidly expanding point-of-care testing (POCT) market, driven by its proprietary HealthTab™ platform and strategic stock option grants that reflect growing executive confidence. With the global POCT market projected to reach $93.21 billion USD by 2030, Avricore's dual focus on chronic disease diagnostics and pharmacy-based testing networks presents a compelling growth story. Recent stock option grants to directors, officers, and employees—totaling 4.1 million shares in 2025 alone—serve as a critical signal of insider conviction, while the HealthTab™ ecosystem's scalability could mirror the value creation seen in Medtronic's Diabetes spin-off.

Strategic Stock Option Grants: A Vote of Confidence

Avricore's recent stock option grants underscore executive and board optimism about the company's trajectory. In August 2024, the company granted 3.36 million stock options at an exercise price of CAD $0.29, with quarterly vesting over five years. This was followed by a June 2025 grant of 4.1 million options at CAD $0.05, aligning with the appointment of new CEO Rodger Seccombe and a renewed focus on scaling HealthTab™.

The low exercise price in 2025 (CAD $0.05) contrasts sharply with the stock's recent trading range (around CAD $0.05–0.15), suggesting management believes the stock has significant upside potential. The five-year expiration and quarterly vesting structure incentivize long-term performance, directly tying leadership compensation to the success of HealthTab™ rollouts and market penetration.

HealthTab™: Disrupting Chronic Disease Diagnostics

Avricore's HealthTab™ platform is a game-changer in pharmacy-based POCT, offering rapid results for up to 23 biomarkers, including glucose, cholesterol, and kidney function. By embedding this technology in pharmacies—already trusted healthcare hubs—Avricore addresses a critical gap in chronic disease management. Key advantages include:
1. Real-Time Data Integration: Partnerships like the UK's Patients Know Best® (PKB) enable seamless integration with electronic health records, creating a closed-loop diagnostic system.
2. Revenue Diversification: Beyond device sales, Avricore monetizes through subscription-based data services and partnerships with healthcare payers.
3. Market Expansion: The UK, with its NHS funding mechanisms, is a prime target, while North America's rising diabetes and cardiovascular disease rates provide further opportunities.

The company's 2024 financial results reflect this strategy: revenue surged 37% year-over-year to $4.79 million, with gross profit climbing to $2.52 million—a 22% margin. This profitability, paired with HealthTab's scalability, positions Avricore to capitalize on its $93 billion market opportunity.

Market Opportunity: A $93.21 Billion Prize

The global POCT market is growing at a 7.8% CAGR, fueled by:
- Rising prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension).
- Telehealth adoption post-pandemic, driving demand for at-home and pharmacy-based testing.
- Regulatory shifts favoring decentralized care, such as FDA guidance for point-of-care diagnostics.

Avricore's niche—pharmacy-centric chronic disease testing—is particularly underpenetrated. Unlike competitors like Abbott (ABT) or Roche (RHHBY), which focus on clinical labs or consumer devices, HealthTab™ leverages pharmacies as a bridge between patients and actionable health data. This model could mirror Medtronic's (MDT) Diabetes spin-off, which saw its standalone entity, Insulet (PODD), achieve higher valuations by focusing on insulin delivery innovation. Avricore's specialization could similarly unlock premium valuations as its niche matures.

Risks and Considerations

• Regulatory Hurdles: HealthTab's integration with health records requires compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and other data privacy laws.
• Execution Risk: Scaling partnerships and achieving pharmacy adoption at scale remains unproven.
• Market Competition: Larger players like Siemens Healthineers (SHL) or Abbott may replicate HealthTab's model.

Investment Thesis: A High-Reward, High-Conviction Play

Avricore's recent stock option grants and financial progress make it a compelling high-risk, high-reward investment. Key catalysts include:
1. HealthTab™ Deployment Milestones: Scaling to 1,000 pharmacies in the UK by 2026 and securing NHS contracts.
2. Partnership Announcements: Integration with additional health systems or insurers could validate the model.
3. Margin Expansion: Leveraging economies of scale to boost profitability beyond 2024's 22% gross margin.

Recommendation: Investors with a 3–5 year horizon and tolerance for volatility may consider adding AVCR to their portfolio at current levels (CAD $0.05–0.15). The stock's low valuation relative to its market opportunity and insider confidence suggests significant upside potential if execution aligns with ambitions.

Conclusion

Avricore Health's strategic stock option grants and HealthTab™ platform position it to capture a slice of the booming POCT market. With chronic disease management and decentralized healthcare on the rise, the company's pharmacy-based model could become a cornerstone of modern healthcare infrastructure. While risks persist, the alignment of executive incentives, financial progress, and market tailwinds makes AVCR a stock to watch in the healthcare tech space.

Stay tuned for updates on HealthTab's NHS progress and Q3 2025 financial results.