Exact Sciences buys Marshfield genetics lab for $190M, commences hereditary cancer research

Exact Sciences buys Marshfield genetics lab for $190M, commences hereditary cancer research

PreventionGenetics is located in Marshfield. Madison-based biomedical giant Exact Sciences has acquired the lab, which produces various types of DNA tests, for $190 million. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PreventionGenetics is located in Marshfield. Madison-based biomedical giant Exact Sciences has acquired the lab, which produces various types of DNA tests, for $190 million. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Madison-based biomedical giant Exact Sciences Corp. has acquired a genetics lab in Marshfield for $190 million in order to research hereditary cancer tests for patients, the company said Monday.

Exact Sciences closed on its purchase New Year’s Eve of PreventionGenetics, a lab founded in 2004 that produces 5,000 types of genetic tests for clients in 85 countries. The biomedical giant announced the sale Sunday along with the release of its preliminary fourth quarter earnings report.

PreventionGenetics tests can assess cancer risk, as well as pediatric and adult-onset rare diseases, among other conditions, said doctor and lab CEO James Weber. The tests can also be used as a tool allowing patients to get a comprehensive look at their DNA in an effort to be proactive about their health, he said.

For Exact Sciences, PreventionGenetics screens offer an opportunity to develop additional tests that detect genetic mutations connected to increased cancer risk in patients.

At market open last Monday, the day after the acquisition was announced, Exact Sciences stock shares traded at around $76. And expected total fourth quarter revenue is to fall somewhere between $472-475 million, according to the firm’s preliminary financial report.

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