Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) broadened its scope in genetics and rare diseases with the January 22 acquisition of Blueprint Genetics, based in Helsinki, Finland. Founded in 2012, the target now serves customers in more than 70 countries. Financial terms of the all-cash equity transaction were not disclosed.
Blueprint is a leading specialty genetic testing company with deep expertise in gene variant interpretation based on next generation sequencing (NGS) and proprietary bioinformatics. It provides 3,900 targeted single gene and more than 200 panel tests spanning 14 medical specialties. Its growth comes largely from its proprietary guideline-supported methods of gene variant interpretation of data generated from NGS and backed by a high-touch consultative service.
Quest’s current Advanced Diagnostics business specializes in combining technologies such as NGS with interpretative expertise. Blueprint brings high-touch service in variant interpretation and reporting and associated sequencing and bioinformatics, which complement and extend its existing genetics leadership.
The deal is a departure from Quest’s recent acquisitions. The company announced seven deals in both 2017 and 2018, the majority of those for clinical and outreach laboratory services. In September 2018, Quest acquired PhenoPath, a provider of AP, molecular oncology and other services, including genetic sequencing and genomic tumor analysis, which require higher-order expertise and skill.
The Blueprint acquisition is expected to yield new capabilities to serve providers specializing in rare disease and neurology, particularly pediatric and academic hospitals. The two organizations also envision that members of the Quest Diagnostics Global Diagnostic Network and its pharmaceutical and in vitro diagnostic collaborators will benefit from Blueprint’s capabilities.
