Exact Sciences' (EXAS 1.55%) phase 3 trial for its colon cancer detection test passed, but the stock dropped 20%. What gives? In this video, David Williamson goes into the details of Exact Sciences' DNA-based test. The overall effectiveness of the Cologuard test was 92%. However, the detection rate was 42%, less than colonoscopy, and the 87% overall accuracy rate leads to a higher false positive rate than most doctors would like to see. Is Exact Sciences doomed? Not really -- it has $100 million in the bank. It may be a takeover target, and David sees Intuitive Surgical (ISRG +2.22%) as a possible buyer.
Not Exactly What Investors Were Looking For
By Dave Williamson – Apr 19, 2013 at 5:32PM
NASDAQ: EXAS
Exact Sciences
Market Cap
$13B
Today's Change
(-1.55%) $1.04
Current Price
$66.18
Price as of November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM ET
How can a stock react so badly to a successful phase 3 trial?
About the Author
The Motley Fool's Healthcare Analyst, I specialize in Pharma, Biotech, and how the ACA (Obamacare) is changing the business of healthcare in America. Follow me on Twitter for breaking stock news, policy thoughts, and misc musings...
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