Abbott Laboratories announced that Exact Sciences’ stockholders approved the proposed acquisition, with more than 99% of votes cast in favor of the transaction. The approval represents roughly 67% of Exact Sciences’ outstanding shares as of the January 9, 2026 record date, confirming the deal’s broad support among shareholders.
The transaction terms provide Exact Sciences shareholders with $105 in cash per share, with no interest. Abbott will assume Exact Sciences’ estimated $1.8 billion of net debt, bringing the enterprise value to about $23 billion. The parties expect the deal to close before the end of the second calendar quarter of 2026.
Strategically, the acquisition expands Abbott’s diagnostics portfolio into the high‑growth cancer screening and precision oncology markets, which were valued at roughly $60 billion in the U.S. alone. The move is intended to offset Abbott’s declining COVID‑19 testing revenue and to lift diagnostics sales to more than $12 billion annually after completion, positioning Abbott as a leading player in cancer diagnostics.
Financially, the equity value of the deal is approximately $21 billion, and the transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Abbott’s revenue growth and gross margin. The addition of Exact Sciences’ portfolio—including Cologuard, Oncotype DX, and liquid‑biopsy tests—provides Abbott with a diversified product mix and access to a direct‑lab reimbursement model that can enhance margins.
Management highlighted the strategic fit: "Exact Sciences’ innovation, its strong brand and customer‑focused execution are unrivaled in the cancer diagnostics space, and its presence and strengths are complementary to our own," said Abbott CEO Robert B. Ford. Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy added, "Together with Abbott, we can reach more patients, advance earlier detection, and deliver answers that change lives."
Following the shareholder approval, analysts adjusted their outlooks. Leerink Partners lowered its price target to $119, Freedom Capital upgraded Abbott to a Buy with a $120 target, and UBS reiterated a Buy with a $158 target, reflecting a mix of confidence in the strategic fit and caution about valuation and integration risks.
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