EXACT SCIENCES CORP Material Event - What Happened

1. What happened? Abbott Laboratories bought Exact Sciences Corp. (EXAS) with an an all-cash deal. Exact Sciences is no longer an independent public company. It is now a fully owned part of Abbott. If you owned Exact Sciences shares, they became cash from this deal.

2. When did it happen? The deal closed on March 23, 2026. They first announced and agreed to the final merger agreement on November 19, 2025. It closed after regulators and shareholders approved it.

3. Why did it happen? This was a planned purchase. Exact Sciences was a top maker of cancer screening and diagnostic tests. Its main product was Cologuard for colon cancer screening. It also had a growing line of targeted cancer care tests, like Oncotype DX for breast and prostate cancer. Abbott Laboratories, a much larger healthcare company, decided to buy Exact Sciences. Exact Sciences' leaders and shareholders agreed to the deal. They saw great value in joining a global company like Abbott. The $105.00 per share cash payment gave Exact Sciences shareholders a much higher price. This showed the important value Abbott saw in the company's top products and future developments. The total company value for the deal was $21 billion!

4. Why does this matter? This is a big deal because:

   • For Exact Sciences: The company, as a public stock, no longer exists. Abbott now controls its products and business. This includes top products like Cologuard for colon cancer screening. It also includes the Oncotype DX group of genetic tests for breast and prostate cancer.
   • For Abbott: This greatly grows Abbott's business, especially in testing. It adds a large collection of fast-growing cancer screening and targeted cancer tests. This makes Abbott an even bigger healthcare force. The purchase strengthens Abbott's place in the fast-growing cancer testing market. It also adds to its current testing products.
   • For the market: This merger means a big company in cancer testing is now part of an even larger healthcare giant. Exact Sciences had top products like Cologuard. Cologuard holds most of the market for colon cancer screening without surgery. Oncotype DX is a leading genetic test for breast and prostate cancer. This could change how companies compete. It might increase Abbott's power in the market. It could also pressure Exact Sciences' former rivals. These include Guardant Health or Freenome in the blood test market, or Natera in cancer testing.

5. Who is affected? This affects almost everyone connected to Exact Sciences:

   • Patients/Customers: Products like Cologuard and Oncotype DX will still be available. Abbott now backs them with huge global support. This could mean more people get them. It could also speed up research and development. They might also become part of Abbott's wider healthcare services, improving patient care.
   • Employees: Exact Sciences' top leaders resigned when the merger closed. Other employees' stock options and RSUs usually became cash based on the $105.00 merger price. Some newer RSUs became Abbott stock awards. Daily work might change as the company joins Abbott.
   • Investors/Shareholders: This is the biggest change. If you owned Exact Sciences regular shares (EXAS), you no longer do. Your shares automatically became $105.00 in cash for each share you held. The stock no longer trades on Nasdaq. If you held Exact Sciences' convertible notes (like bonds), they now become only cash. This is based on the $105.00 per share value, not stock.
   • Competitors: Abbott grew much larger in the testing and cancer screening market. This is especially true for colon cancer screening without surgery and genetic tests for breast and prostate cancer. This could pressure other companies in these areas. Examples include Guardant Health, Freenome, or Natera.

6. What happens next?

   • Exact Sciences' regular shares were removed from the Nasdaq Global Select Market. They are no longer trading.
   • Exact Sciences will stop reporting its finances to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It is now a private part of Abbott.
   • Abbott's big task now is to fully bring Exact Sciences' business, products, and people into Abbott. They will merge sales teams, R&D, and office tasks. Watch how Abbott discusses its new testing business in future company updates for investors.

7. What should investors know? Here are the key points for investors:

   • If you owned EXAS stock: Your shares automatically became $105.00 cash per share. You should have received this payment, usually through your broker. You can no longer buy or sell EXAS stock.
   • If you wanted to buy EXAS: You cannot. The company is no longer public, and its regular shares were removed from trading.
   • If you held Exact Sciences convertible notes: These notes now become cash based on the $105.00 per share value. They do not become stock. The bond trustee will outline specific terms for conversion and payment.
   • This is a clear end for Exact Sciences as an independent public company. The focus now moves to how Abbott uses Exact's strengths to grow and innovate in its testing business. Understand what these big changes mean for your investments.