Quest Diagnostics Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has announced the sale of its minority share in Q² Solutions to IQVIA (NYSE: IQV) for $760 million in cash. This divestiture aligns with Quest's strategy to focus on diagnostic information services. Since 2015, Q² Solutions operated as a joint venture, with IQVIA owning 60% and Quest 40%. Despite the sale, Quest will remain the preferred laboratory provider for Q² Solutions under a multi-year agreement, allowing them to continue offering complementary lab testing services.

On March 15, 2021, Zora Biosciences Oy announced a license agreement with Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) for its ceramide-analysis technology. This collaboration aims to develop a test service to identify patients at risk for cardiovascular diseases. Ceramides may indicate cardiovascular death risk, enhancing diagnostic precision beyond LDL cholesterol levels. Quest plans to offer this service through its Cardiometabolic Center of Excellence in the U.S. next year, aiming to alleviate heart disease burdens, which affect nearly half of the American population by 2035.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) outlined its growth strategy at a recent virtual Investor Day, highlighting its responsiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company reports a long-term revenue CAGR of 4-5% for its base business and 7-9% for total earnings. Key initiatives include increasing market share in advanced diagnostics and consumer testing, as well as capital investments of $900 million in share repurchases in 2021. The net revenue forecast for the first half of 2021 ranges from $4.85 billion to $5.15 billion, with a projected net revenue increase of 32.9% to 41.1%.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has entered into an all-cash agreement to acquire Mercy's outreach laboratory services business. This transaction, expected to complete in Q2 2021, aims to enhance access to innovative lab services across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy will retain its hospital laboratories for inpatient care, while Quest will integrate outreach tests into its network. The partnership prioritizes affordable patient care, leveraging Quest's advanced testing capabilities, patient service centers, and competitive pricing.

Genalyte and Sonora Quest Laboratories have announced a strategic partnership with Cigna Medicare Arizona to enhance health outcomes using predictive analytics. This collaboration aims to reduce costs while improving care for patients enrolled in Cigna's Medicare Advantage plans. Through Genalyte's analytic models, healthcare providers can identify patients needing clinical oversight, enabling timely interventions. Cigna's goal is to leverage advanced analytics to foster informed decision-making, ultimately driving better health outcomes for customers.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) has launched a new COVID-19 semi-quantitative serology test. This service provides insights into an individual's immune response from prior SARS-CoV-2 infections or vaccinations, offering both positive/negative results and numerical data on antibody levels. With about 40% of COVID-19 cases being asymptomatic, this test can identify antibodies two weeks post-infection. The testing aims to enhance public health monitoring by contributing to herd immunity research. It's currently available through Quest's network of over 2,200 patient service centers in the U.S.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) announced leadership changes in its Board of Directors. Dr. Daniel C. Stanzione will step down as Lead Independent Director and not seek reelection in May 2021, after serving since 1997. Timothy M. Ring will succeed him, bringing valuable experience from his time as former Chairman and CEO of C.R. Bard. Vicky Gregg will take over as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Stanzione expressed optimism for the company's future, highlighting the strength of the leadership team.

GRAIL has partnered with Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) to provide phlebotomy services for its Galleri multi-cancer early detection blood test. This partnership leverages Quest's extensive network, including 2,200 patient service centers and 5,000 mobile phlebotomists, to facilitate blood collection across the U.S. Galleri can detect over 50 types of cancers, with a low false positive rate of less than 1%. Scheduled for introduction in Q2 2021, Galleri will be available through healthcare partners and aims to transform cancer diagnostics and outcomes.