Abbott Said to Near Deal for Cologuard Maker Exact Sciences (2)

Abbott Laboratories is nearing a potential acquisition of cancer screening company Exact Sciences Corp., people familiar with the matter said, in what could be the biggest deal of the year in the global health-care sector.

The US medical-device maker is discussing the terms of a transaction with Madison, Wisconsin-based Exact Sciences, according to the people. A deal may be announced in the coming days, they said.

Shares in Exact Sciences rose as much as 29% on Wednesday for their biggest intraday gain in almost three years. The stock closed 24% higher in New York trading, giving the company a ...