Top Story Today
Abbott Swallowed the King of Cancer Screening for $23 Billion
Abbott closed its $23 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences on Monday, snapping up Cologuard (the at-home colon cancer test used over 17 million times) and a deep cancer diagnostics pipeline. The deal is Abbott's answer to a diagnostics division that's been struggling since the COVID testing boom evaporated. Exact Sciences stockholders approved it with over 99% of the vote, and the stock barely flinched at closing. Abbott expects $3 billion in incremental sales but will eat about $0.20 in EPS dilution this year as it digests the deal.
Why it matters: With millions of Americans behind on colonoscopies and screening guidelines now starting at age 45, Abbott just paired the dominant non-invasive cancer testing franchise with global distribution muscle. Competitors in cancer diagnostics may be forced to consolidate in response.
Read more →Clinical & Regulatory
This Gene Therapy Keeps Kids Alive. The FDA Said No Once Already.
Rocket Pharmaceuticals faces a March 28 FDA decision on Kresladi, a gene therapy for LAD-1, a rare disease with high mortality in severe cases before age two. The therapy achieved 100% survival in all nine trial patients, with zero serious side effects. The FDA's first rejection cited Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) concerns, not scientific ones. No advisory committee meeting is required this time, which is typically a good sign.
Read more →Science & Startups
A Startup Wants to Regrow the Brain Cells Parkinson's Destroys
Oryon Cell Therapies emerged from stealth with $42 million and Phase 1b/2a data showing motor function improvements of 29% to 62% in five Parkinson's patients. The approach: grow new dopamine-producing neurons from a patient's own blood, then implant them into the brain. One patient saw a five-fold increase in dopamine activity at six months. Tiny sample, but the early numbers are turning heads.
Read more →