Hologic Inc. continues to strengthen its diagnostics businesses via tuck-ins, this time with the acquisition of Diagenode SA for $159 million. The Belgium-based developer of molecular assays and epigenetics products counts more than 30 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in its portfolio. Marlborough, Mass.-based Hologic has been on a spending spree in recent months. In January, the company completed the acquisition of Somatex Medical Technologies GmbH for about $64 million and agreed to buy molecular diagnostics company Biotheranostics Inc. for $230 million.

Hologic Inc. is teaming up with Google Cloud to use machine learning technologies to improve the accuracy and timeliness of cytology for cervical cancer screening. Marlborough, Mass.-based Hologic, which makes both Pap and human papillomavirus (HPV) assays, is already using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in its new digital cytology platform that is available in Europe. The multiyear collaboration with Mountain View, Calif.-based Google Cloud will start with innovating that product further by enhancing the deep learning component of the system.

Hologic Inc. kicked off its fiscal year 2021 with gusto, reporting revenue of $1.61 billion – up 89.3% year over year, or 86.5% on a constant currency basis. Worldwide sales of molecular diagnostics exceeded expectations, jumping 457.6% to $995.3 million as the company ramped up production to meet growing demand for its two SARS-CoV-2 assays that run on the fully automated Panther and Panther Fusion systems.

Just a week into 2021 and Hologic Inc. is planning another acquisition. The company announced that it has agreed to acquire the molecular diagnostics testing company Biotheranostics Inc. for roughly $230 million cash up front. This comes on the heels of completing the acquisition of Somatex Medical Technologies GmbH for about $64 million. The acquisition of San Diego-based Biotheranostics is expected to close in February 2021, pending antitrust clearance.

Hologic Inc., which focuses on women’s health, said Jan. 4 that it has completed the acquisition of Somatex Medical Technologies GmbH for roughly $64 million. Based in Berlin, Somatex focuses on minimally invasive devices for tumor diagnostics, biopsy and interventional specialties. Somatex’s portfolio includes biopsy site markers and localization technologies, including Trumark markers. The company was previously owned by E-Med Solutions GmbH, a group of investors led by German private equity firm Westlake Partners.

Hologic Inc. has gained approval from the U.S. FDA to add a diagnostic claim to its HIV type 1 viral load monitoring assay. This makes the Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx assay the first dual-claim assay in the U.S., allowing both viral load monitoring and diagnosis. For laboratories that use the assay, the dual claim allows for consolidated testing on one automated platform, adding to efficiency.

The European Commission has awarded the CE mark to Hologic Inc. for its Genius Digital Diagnostics system for cervical cancer screening. According to the company, it is the first digital cytology platform to combine a new artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm with advanced digital imaging to assist cytotechnologists and pathologists in detecting precancerous lesions and malignant cells in women.

Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BD) reported good news Thursday, as it saw quarterly revenues of $4.784 billion for its fourth fiscal quarter, an increase of 4.4% over the prior-year period. Of note, the company’s life sciences segment saw worldwide revenues of $1.488 billion, representing an increase of 31.2% over the prior-year period as reported, or 31.4% on a currency-neutral basis.

The U.S. FDA’s stated policy is that it will not review emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for lab-developed tests (LDTs) for the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean labs are completely shut out. The FDA’s Toby Lowe said that a lab that wants to pair an assay that already has an EUA with a new software installation on lab instrumentation can work with the assay developer to update that EUA.