Abbott closes Exact Sciences acquisition, enters $60 billion cancer diagnostics market

Abbott has completed its acquisition of Exact Sciences, integrating the company as a wholly owned subsidiary. The transaction positions Abbott in the fast-growing cancer screening and precision oncology segments, adding a new growth vertical to its diagnostics portfolio.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has finalized the acquisition of Exact Sciences, with the latter now operating as a wholly owned subsidiary following the merger agreement. Exact Sciences shares ceased trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of March 20, 2026, pursuant to the completion of the transaction.

The acquisition establishes Abbott’s presence in the U.S. cancer screening and precision oncology diagnostics segments, estimated at $60 billion and characterized by high single-digit growth projections. The combined portfolio includes Cologuard, a noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test; Oncotype DX, which informs personalized treatment decisions for early-stage breast cancer; Oncodetect, a tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) test; and Cancerguard, a multi-cancer early detection blood test.

This development matters as it reflects continued consolidation in the diagnostics sector, driven by rising global cancer incidence and demand for early detection and personalized medicine capabilities.

For Abbott, the acquisition adds a dedicated oncology-focused growth vertical to its existing diagnostics operations, expanding its reach across healthcare systems and increasing its serviceable patient population.

For the diagnostics and oncology industries, the combination brings together Abbott’s commercial scale and global distribution infrastructure with Exact Sciences’ specialized product pipeline. Healthcare providers, payers, and investors will monitor how the integrated portfolio competes in the colorectal cancer screening market—where Cologuard holds a leading position—and in emerging segments such as multi-cancer early detection and molecular residual disease testing.

Abbott is a global healthcare company with diversified businesses in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. Exact Sciences was a molecular diagnostics company specializing in cancer screening and precision oncology, best known for its Cologuard colorectal cancer test.