Bloomberg reported Abbott Laboratories is in talks to acquire cancer-testing firm Exact Sciences, a move that sent Exact’s shares sharply higher. Exact manufactures the stool-based colorectal screening test Cologuard and has launched blood-based multi-cancer early detection and monitoring assays, while holding US rights to Freenome technology. Analysts note the deal would bolster Abbott’s diagnostics footprint and give it an entry into oncology screening and MCED tests. Details remain limited, but market reaction indicates investors see material strategic and margin benefits from integrating Exact’s testing portfolio into Abbott’s diagnostics scale.