Waters Acquires BD Diagnostics, Secures At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Lead
Event summary
- Waters Corporation (WAT) has completed the acquisition of BD Biosciences and BD Diagnostic Solutions from Becton, Dickinson and Company.
- The FDA has cleared the Onclarity HPV Self-Collection Kit and approved the BD Onclarity HPV Assay for at-home use, expanding access to cervical cancer screening.
- The BD Onclarity HPV Assay is the most comprehensive HPV screening tool in the U.S., detecting six individual and three pooled HPV genotypes.
- The kit utilizes the fully automated BD COR™ System for sample processing and analysis.
- Waters is establishing partnerships to broaden access to the self-collection kit, expected to be available by prescription in the coming months and covered by major insurance providers.
The big picture
This acquisition positions Waters as a significant player in the rapidly expanding at-home diagnostics market, addressing a critical need for improved cervical cancer screening access. The FDA clearance validates the efficacy of the self-collection method, which has been identified as a key strategy to address the 60% of unscreened or under-screened individuals. The deal represents a strategic shift for Waters, expanding its portfolio beyond analytical technologies into direct patient care solutions.
What we're watching
- Integration Risk
- The success of Waters’ acquisition hinges on the seamless integration of BD’s diagnostics businesses, which could face operational and cultural challenges.
- Adoption Rate
- The pace at which healthcare providers and patients adopt the at-home self-collection kit will determine the financial impact on Waters and its ability to significantly reduce cervical cancer screening gaps.
- Reimbursement
- Continued coverage by private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare will be crucial for sustained demand and market penetration of the Onclarity kit.
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