Transaction expands Natera’s solid tumor MRD capabilities and adds ultrasensitive phased variant technology with detection below 0.1 parts per million.
Natera Inc has completed its acquisition of Foresight Diagnostics in an all-stock transaction valued at up to $450 million, combining Natera’s commercial infrastructure with Foresight’s ultrasensitive molecular residual disease (MRD) detection technology.
The deal includes $275 million upfront with an additional $175 million in earnouts tied to revenue and reimbursement milestones. Foresight’s patented PhasED-Seq technology targets phased variants and has demonstrated performance with LOD95 of 0.3 parts per million and detection capabilities below 0.1 ppm.
“This acquisition reinforces Natera’s position at the forefront of precision oncology,” says Steve Chapman, chief executive officer of Natera, in a release. “Foresight’s phased variant technology and leadership in lymphoma complement Natera’s strong capabilities in personalized MRD testing, improving the value we can deliver to patients, clinicians, biopharma partners, and the broader healthcare system.”
Expanding Into Lymphoma Market
The acquisition accelerates Natera’s expansion into lymphoma, where Foresight has established a clinical position through its circulating tumor DNA-based MRD tests. Founded by Stanford University physicians and scientists Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD, Ash Alizadeh, MD, PhD, and David Kurtz, MD, PhD, along with Jake Chabon, PhD, who serves as chief scientific officer and chief executive officer, Foresight operates as a CLIA-registered laboratory.
The company has produced more than 40 scientific publications and presentations and has partnerships with more than 30 biopharma and academic researchers. The acquisition adds to Natera’s portfolio of more than 500 issued or pending patents in personalized MRD products.
“Foresight’s mission has always been to improve the lives of cancer patients worldwide through innovative diagnostics,” says Chabon in a release. “As we join Natera, I’m deeply grateful to our employees, partners, and investors who have helped bring us to this moment. Together, we can realize this mission on a far greater scale, accelerating the pace of discovery across both hematologic and solid tumors.”
