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MADISON, Wis. - A new modeling study published Tuesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicates that Cologuard Plus, a triennial next-generation multitarget stool DNA test, is the only noninvasive colorectal cancer screening option shown to be efficient at guideline-recommended intervals and age ranges. Exact Sciences (NASDAQ:EXAS), with a market capitalization of $10.91 billion and impressive revenue growth of 12.56% over the last twelve months, continues to strengthen its position in the medical diagnostics market. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains strong liquidity with a current ratio of 2.89, indicating robust operational stability.
The study, sponsored by Exact Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ:EXAS), utilized the validated CRC-AIM microsimulation platform and the same modeling approach developed by the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Monitoring Network that informed the United States Preventive Services Task Force’s 2021 colorectal cancer screening guidelines. With a gross profit margin of 69.63%, the company demonstrates strong operational efficiency in its diagnostic solutions. For deeper insights into Exact Sciences’ financial health and growth potential, investors can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports, which cover over 1,400 US equities.
According to the research, all evaluated screening strategies led to more life-years gained compared to no screening. However, only triennial Cologuard Plus was deemed efficient when screening between ages 45 to 75, while annual FIT testing was classified as near-efficient. Other methods, including annual, biennial, or triennial mt-sRNA tests and blood-based tests, were not found to be efficient or near-efficient within the recommended screening age range.
"This analysis provides new insights into how different colorectal cancer screening strategies balance benefit and burden," said Dr. Derek Ebner, gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic and first author of the study, according to the press release.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force defines an efficient screening strategy as one that delivers the greatest number of life-years gained for the fewest colonoscopies. This benefit-to-burden ratio is influenced by test performance metrics such as sensitivity and specificity.
Cologuard Plus has a reported sensitivity of 95% for colorectal cancer and specificity of 94% in the U.S. screening age population, requiring no preparation or downtime for average-risk adults starting at age 45.
The findings come amid several pressures affecting colonoscopy access, including expanded screening age guidelines, increased cases of early-onset colorectal cancer, and a declining number of practicing gastroenterologists. Looking ahead, analysts tracked by InvestingPro expect the company to become profitable this year, with target prices ranging from $53 to $85 per share, reflecting the market’s confidence in Exact Sciences’ growth trajectory in the expanding diagnostic testing market.
In other recent news, Exact Sciences has launched Cancerguard, a multi-cancer early detection blood test available in the U.S. This test, priced at $689, can detect over 50 cancer types, including pancreatic and lung cancers. The company’s recent quarterly results exceeded expectations, with revenue surpassing guidance by 5% and a $55 million increase to its full-year 2025 guidance. Despite these strong results, RBC Capital lowered its price target for Exact Sciences to $46, citing growth concerns. Bernstein SocGen also reduced its price target to $60, following unexpected developments in the blood-based CRC screening program. Meanwhile, Benchmark and BTIG both set their price targets at $60, with Benchmark maintaining a Buy rating. Exact Sciences’ recent deal with Freenome was noted as "surprising" by BTIG analyst Mark Massaro. These developments highlight ongoing adjustments and expectations in the analyst community regarding Exact Sciences.
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