The news: The maker of the Cologuard at-home colon cancer screening test, Exact Sciences, is buying the rights to a promising blood test for colon cancer.

Digging into the details: Exact was developing its own blood test, but bought the exclusive rights to rival Freenome’s test this week after disclosing data that disqualified its test for Medicare approval.

• Freenome’s screening is 81% sensitive for cancer and 90% correct for negative results, surpassing Medicare’s 74% sensitivity requirement. Exact’s test came in at 73%.
• Exact will pay $75 million for exclusive rights to current and future versions of Freenome’s test and up to $700 million in successful milestone payouts.
• Exact wants to reach consumers who are hesitant to use either stool sample tests like its Cologuard or traditional colonoscopy screening.

Why it matters: Colon cancer rates in the US are increasing, especially among people under age 50.

• The US Preventative Services Task Force (UPSTF) lowered the recommended age for colon cancer screening from 50 down to 45 in 2021. For context: Insurers are required to cover UPSTF recommendations under the Affordable Care Act.
• 33.7% of US adults ages 45-49 were screened in 2023, up from 19.7% in 2021, per an American Cancer Society study published this week.
• Cancer rates in the same age group increased to 17.5 per 100,000 in 2022, up from 11.7 in 2021, per the study.

Researchers attributed part of the rising rate of cancer diagnoses to increased screenings. Exact reported Cologuard found 623,000 cancers and precancers in its first 10 years from 2014-2024.

The takeaway: As early colon cancer rates increase, more young people are becoming interested in screening. Blood tests adds another option, and for Exact’s Cologuard—known for irreverent ad campaigns for the at-home stool sample kits—another way to advocate for more screening.

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