Health and Science

Exact Sciences to buy Genomic Health for $2.8 billion

Operations at Exact Sciences
Source: Exact Sciences

Cancer diagnostics company Exact Sciences said on Monday it will buy health-care company Genomic Health for about $2.8 billion to bolster its cancer testing business.

Under terms of the deal, Genomic Health stockholders will receive $27.50 in cash and $44.50 in Exact Sciences stock, for a total value of $72 per share.

Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences makes non-invasive fecal DNA screening test Cologuard to help diagnose colorectal cancer.

Genomic Health develops and commercializes genomic-based diagnostics tests using its Oncotype IQ platform for various cancers, including breast and prostate.

The deal, expected to close by end-2019, is estimated to yield about $25 million in cost synergies within the third year, the companies said in a statement.

Shares of California-based Genomic Health rose 10.7% to $76.01 in early trading, while Exact Sciences' shares fell 3.3% to $114