The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's competition authority, has granted clearance for Abbott Laboratories to acquire Exact Sciences Corporation in a preliminary review.

Both companies are U.S.-based firms operating in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. Abbott is involved in pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, medical technology, and diagnostics, including molecular diagnostics. Exact Sciences specializes in molecular diagnostics for cancer detection and personalized therapy consulting.

Molecular diagnostics, particularly genetic tests, are becoming increasingly relevant in cancer detection, treatment selection, and follow-up care. Samples such as organs, tissues, and blood are increasingly analyzed using molecular diagnostics in laboratories or on-site. The genetic tests used are specifically developed for certain diseases and purposes, making them largely non-interchangeable.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, stated that the merger could be approved without an in-depth review because Abbott's and Exact Sciences' tests are not considered substitutes for each other. While both companies operate in the field of oncological molecular diagnostics and sell products for breast cancer in Germany, their respective genetic tests serve different functions and are based on different technologies.

Exact Sciences is internationally known for its stool-based colorectal cancer test, Cologuard, which is currently only available in the U.S. In Germany, Exact Sciences markets the breast cancer test Oncotype DX, which aids in therapy decision-making for patients already diagnosed with breast cancer by predicting the effectiveness of chemotherapy for the individual patient. In contrast, Abbott offers a breast cancer test designed for diagnosing a specific type of breast cancer. Overall, Abbott's market share in molecular diagnostic tests for oncology in Germany remains relatively low.

The field of molecular oncology diagnostics is highly innovative and dynamic, with expectations for further growth. Major players in this area in Germany include Roche, Thermo Fisher, and Danaher.