Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced the completion of its acquisition of LifeLabs from OMERS. The transaction, valued at approximately CAN $1.35 billion (approximately USD $1 billion), including net debt, has received all necessary approvals and is now closed.
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“This acquisition brings together two industry leaders committed to enhancing access to diagnostic innovation for patients in North America,” said Jim Davis, Chairman, CEO, and President of Quest Diagnostics. “The combination of LifeLabs’ strong business and deep community presence with Quest’s specialized lab services and expertise creates a powerful opportunity to generate growth while improving care and outcomes for Canada’s expanding and aging population.”
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Quest provides a comprehensive offering of tests requiring specialized skills, science, and technology in clinical areas such as cardiometabolic health, infectious diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, oncology and genomics.
“Joining forces with Quest Diagnostics marks a pivotal moment for LifeLabs. Quest’s extensive diagnostic capabilities and forward-thinking strategy will help the LifeLabs team enhance access to services and ultimately improve healthcare for Canadians,” said Charles Brown, President and CEO of LifeLabs.
LifeLabs and its more than 6,500 employees will continue to operate under the LifeLabs brand and with the same management team and headquarters. Quest will provide LifeLabs with new expertise, innovations and resources to strengthen the services provided by LifeLabs. In addition to fostering greater access to specialized tests, the two companies will work together to improve online appointment scheduling and speed patient service centre processing. Quest Diagnostics will also support LifeLabs’ data security enhancements while ensuring Canadian patients’ health data remains in Canada.
“OMERS is proud to have supported and fostered LifeLabs’ growth into the prominent Canadian healthcare institution it is today,” said Michael Hill, Executive Vice President and Global Head of OMERS Infrastructure. “This transaction represents a significant achievement for OMERS and its members. We extend our best wishes to Quest and LifeLabs as they embark on their shared journey towards future success and innovation supporting patient care.”
Quest has acquired 100% of the equity of LifeLabs. The transaction meets all of Quest’s criteria on growth, profitability and returns. Quest expects the transaction to generate approximately CAN $970 million (approximately USD $710 million) in annual revenues. The company expects the transaction to be slightly dilutive to GAAP earnings per share (EPS), due primarily to amortization of intangibles and other items, but $0.10-$0.15 accretive to adjusted EPS, in the first 12 months after closing. The company will provide updated financial guidance for the full year 2024 on its third quarter 2024 earnings call in October 2024. Additional terms were not disclosed.
McCarthy Tétrault LLP served as legal advisor to Quest Diagnostics. Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP served as legal advisor to OMERS. Evercore and CIBC Capital Markets served as financial advisors to OMERS.
About LifeLabs
LifeLabs is Canada’s leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling patients and healthcare practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor and prevent disease. We are a committed innovator in supporting Canadians to live healthier lives, operating Canada’s first commercial genetics lab, and the country’s largest online patient portal, with more than 8 million Canadians receiving their results online. LifeLabs has been named one of Canada’s Best Employers (2021, 2022 and 2023) and Best Employers for Diversity (2022 and 2023) by Forbes and recognized for having an award-winning Mental Health Program from Benefits Canada.
About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics works across the healthcare ecosystem to create a healthier world, one life at a time. We provide diagnostic insights from the results of our laboratory testing to empower people, physicians and organizations to take action to improve health outcomes. Our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives and create a healthier world.
