Tempus AI is buying Personalis, the cancer diagnostics company behind a test Tempus already markets, in a deal valued at $1.5 billion. The acquisition would give Tempus control of NeXT Personal, a molecular residual disease test that looks for small traces of tumor DNA in the blood. Doctors can use the test to monitor how a patient responds to treatment, detect remaining cancer, and identify signs of recurrence.

Tempus invested in Personalis and began commercializing NeXT Personal through a partnership established in November 2023. Bringing the company in-house would allow Tempus to integrate the test more closely with its clinical data, AI tools, and precision oncology products.

“Through our existing collaboration with Personalis, we have already demonstrated the strength of combining highly sensitive MRD technology with our commercial infrastructure,” Tempus Founder and CEO Eric Lefkofsky said.

Personalis shareholders will receive $16.25 per share, a 6% premium to the company’s July 17 closing price and a 28% premium to its unaffected 30-day average. The transaction is structured as an all-stock deal, though Tempus can choose to pay up to half of the consideration in cash.

Tempus describes molecular residual disease testing as a $20 billion market opportunity, citing approximately 2.1 million new U.S. cancer diagnoses expected this year. Personalis already has Medicare coverage for three indications and reported preliminary second-quarter revenue of $22.4 million. It delivered 10,384 clinical tests during the quarter, up 33% sequentially.

The companies expect the acquisition to close in late 2026 or early 2027, pending approval from Personalis shareholders and regulators.

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