Labcorp expands US cancer diagnostics portfolio with US$872M BioReference deal

USA—Labcorp has agreed to acquire selected laboratory businesses and operational assets from OPKO Health subsidiary BioReference Health for up to US$872 million, expanding its US diagnostic testing network and access to prostate cancer testing.

Under the agreement, Labcorp will pay US$722 million in cash upfront for BioReference’s clinical and women’s health testing businesses, urology services, corrections testing operations and related assets.

The deal also includes more than 80 patient service centers.

Labcorp could pay an additional US$150 million in earnouts tied to revenue from BioReference’s 4Kscore test, bringing the transaction’s potential value to US$872 million.

Expansion of diagnostic testing services

The 4Kscore test estimates the likelihood of aggressive prostate cancer in men aged 45 and older who have elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, based on age-specific thresholds or a positive finding during a digital rectal examination.

The results help physicians assess whether a prostate biopsy is warranted.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the test in 2021, after it had been available as a laboratory-developed test since 2014.

Its inclusion in the transaction gives Labcorp access to a specialised diagnostic tool used to support prostate cancer assessment.

BioReference is a core part of OPKO Health’s diagnostics division.

The segment generated US$74.5 million in revenue in the second quarter, including US$6.3 million from the 4Kscore test.

Labcorp said the acquisition will broaden access to its laboratory services for patients, physicians and other healthcare customers.

Bryan Vaughn, the company’s executive vice president and president of diagnostics, said the deal would strengthen its ability to provide affordable, high-quality specialised testing to more patients and healthcare providers.

The North Carolina-based company reported that it supported more than 85% of FDA-approved new drugs and therapeutic products and performed more than 750 million tests globally in 2025.

Vaughn said the expanded clinical, women’s health, urology and corrections testing capabilities, together with wider access to 4Kscore, would help physicians make more informed decisions and improve access to diagnostic services.

OPKO shifts focus to biopharmaceuticals

OPKO expects the transaction to streamline operations and let the company direct more resources to its biopharmaceutical business.

The companies have not publicly specified a completion date.

OPKO Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Phillip Frost said Labcorp’s national scale and operational capabilities would extend access to BioReference’s 4Kscore test among patients and healthcare providers across the US.

He also described the agreement as an opportunity to unlock additional value for shareholders.

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