Madison, Wis. – Abbott Laboratories announced on November 15, 2025 that it will acquire Exact Sciences Corporation for roughly $21 billion. The transaction pairs the multinational health‑care giant with the Madison‑based molecular diagnostics firm best known for its stool‑DNA colorectal cancer screening test, Cologuard.
Cologuard, the first FDA‑approved stool DNA test for colorectal cancer, lets patients collect a sample at home, mail it to a laboratory and await results without the need for colonoscopy preparation, sedation or a clinical visit. By detecting altered DNA and blood in stool, the test offers a non‑invasive alternative that can reach individuals who avoid colonoscopy because of cost, inconvenience or fear. Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and screening rates have historically fallen short of clinical recommendations.
Cologuard’s at‑home format is intended to close that gap. Exact Sciences is not limited to a single product.
The company has expanded its pipeline to include additional cancer‑screening assays and precision‑oncology diagnostics that identify molecular signals of disease in blood or stool well before symptoms appear. Early detection is central to Exact Sciences’ strategy, reflecting the principle that cancers caught at an early stage are far more treatable than those diagnosed after spreading. Abbott brings a global scale that Exact Sciences lacks on its own.
Operating in more than 160 countries, Abbott possesses extensive manufacturing capacity, distribution networks and regulatory expertise. By integrating Exact Sciences into its diagnostics division, Abbott expects to accelerate the rollout of existing and future tests, extending their reach from U.S. clinics to international hospitals and health systems.
The $21 billion price tag reflects the perceived value of Exact Sciences’ technology platform and its growth potential in a market where insurers, employers and health providers are seeking cheaper, easier screening tools. While Cologuard is not flawless—it can miss some cancers and may generate false‑positive results that require follow‑up colonoscopy—the test nevertheless increases the number of people entering the screening pathway, a benefit Abbott deems significant. Under the agreement, Exact Sciences will become part of Abbott’s diagnostics business, but its Madison operations are slated to continue.
The test itself, along with the laboratory processes that analyze the samples, are expected to remain unchanged for patients. What may shift is the speed at which new assays are developed and the breadth of their distribution, leveraging Abbott’s worldwide infrastructure.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is anticipated to close in the coming months. If finalized, the acquisition will give Abbott an established foothold in molecular diagnostics for early cancer detection, a sector that is expanding rapidly as the health‑care industry emphasizes preventive care. In summary, Abbott’s $21 billion investment bets on the premise that earlier cancer detection saves lives and creates a sustainable market for innovative screening technologies.
By combining Abbott’s global reach with Exact Sciences’ portfolio—anchored by the at‑home Cologuard test—the companies aim to reshape how cancers are identified and treated worldwide.
