Johnson & Johnson agreed to acquire Halda Therapeutics for about $3.05 billion to gain access to its RIPTAC platform and lead prostate cancer program, signaling J&J’s continued appetite for oncology platform assets. The transaction positions J&J to expand targeted cancer therapeutics through a RIPTAC approach that links tumor selectivity to payload delivery. Separately, commentary surfaced around Abbott’s large strategic bet on Exact Sciences — a deal framed as a move to scale cancer diagnostics and diversify margins. Observers flagged integration risks and the challenge of sustaining growth amid competitive diagnostics markets and evolving screening guidelines. Both moves underscore continued consolidation in diagnostics and oncology, with big pharmas pursuing platform and high‑margin diagnostic capabilities to offset revenue pressures elsewhere.