Quest sells saliva diagnostics business as it continues streamlining
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Quest Diagnostics has divested its OralDNA Labs salivary diagnostics business to molecular testing firm Access Genetics for an undisclosed fee, as part of its plan to refocus on its core Diagnostic Information Services business. The move comes not long after Quest announced a major overhaul which went into effect on 1 January and will involve trimming three layers of management and 400-600 job cuts by the end of 2013 (www.clinica.co.uk, 15 October 2012). At the time, it reorganised operations into two new business groups: Diagnostic Information Services, which accounts for most of Quest's revenues; and Diagnostic Solutions. The streamlining initiatives appear to have been instigated by CEO Steve Rusckowski, who took up the position in April after leading Philips Healthcare for six years (www.clinica.co.uk, 12 April 2012). Access Genetics "has provided support and expertise for OralDNA-based testing services for dental professionals since 2008", the companies stated. OralDNA's testing services, currently provided from a facility in Brentwood, Tennessee, will now be based out of Access's CLIA and CAP-certified lab in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.