Abbott Laboratories has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Exact Sciences Corporation, a leader in cancer-screening and precision oncology diagnostics, in a deal valued at $105 per share in cash roughly $21 billion in equity terms ~$23 billion including assumed debt. The move is aimed squarely at strengthening Abbott’s position in the rapidly growing cancer-diagnostics market, particularly as demand for early detection and personalized oncology care surges. 

Exact Sciences brings to the table a powerful portfolio: its well-known Cologuard® stool-based colorectal cancer test, the Oncotype DX® breast cancer prognostic assay, and advanced liquid-biopsy solutions including Cancerguard™ multi-cancer early detection and Oncodetect™ molecular residual disease monitoring.  Abbott has said the acquisition will “transform cancer care” by accelerating early detection, personalising treatment pathways, and expanding global access to these life-saving diagnostics. 

Financially, Exact Sciences currently generates over $3 billion in revenue annually, and is growing at a “high-teens” rate organically. Abbott expects that once the deal closes, its total diagnostics business will surpass $12 billion in yearly sales.  The transaction is planned to complete in the second quarter of 2026, pending shareholder approval and regulatory clearances, after which Exact Sciences will operate as a subsidiary of Abbott.