DGX Stock Up on New Blood Test Development Deal With MD Anderson

Company Overview - Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX) has announced a collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to enhance cancer risk assessment and screening [1][5] - The company currently has a market capitalization of $20.12 billion [4] Collaboration Details - The partnership will focus on developing a laboratory-developed blood test based on circulating protein biomarkers linked to high cancer risk, including cancers such as colorectal, lung, breast, pancreatic, ovarian, liver, prostate, esophageal, and stomach [2][5] - Quest Diagnostics will utilize a developmental license for the Multi-Cancer Stratification Test (MCaST) technology developed by MD Anderson, which is based on extensive clinical research involving tens of thousands of individuals [5] Market Performance - Following the announcement, DGX shares increased by 2.6%, closing at $182.07, and have seen a total gain of 31.3% over the past year [3][10] - The company is expected to see an 8.6% growth in earnings from 2024 to 2025, with a historical earnings beat of 2% on average over the last four quarters [4] Industry Insights - The global cancer diagnostics market was valued at $109.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1% through 2030, driven by rising cancer prevalence and advancements in diagnostic technologies [11] - Only 51% of U.S. adults reported having a routine medical appointment or cancer screening in the past year, indicating a significant opportunity for new screening methods [7] Future Prospects - If the blood test is successfully validated, Quest Diagnostics may commercialize it for providers in North America by 2026 [6]