Veracyte Acquires Convergent Genomics, Expanding its Urology Diagnostics Portfolio with a Urinary Tumor DNA Testing Platform
Veracyte buys Convergent Genomics for up to $180 million, adding a validated urine-based tumor DNA platform for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Rhea-AI Summary
Veracyte (VCYT) has acquired Convergent Genomics, adding the UroAmp urinary tumor DNA (utDNA) testing platform to its urology diagnostics portfolio.
UroAmp has been clinically validated in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) for therapy-response monitoring and post-treatment surveillance, with supporting data from nine peer-reviewed publications and over 40 posters and abstracts. Veracyte plans an initial UroAmp-based test to help determine which patients completing Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) induction therapy are likely to benefit from maintenance treatment, with commercialization expected in late 2028, subject to reimbursement timelines.
The deal includes $150 million in upfront cash and up to $30 million in milestone-based cash tied to UroAmp reimbursement efforts. Veracyte does not expect the ongoing Convergent operating expenses to change its previously issued 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance.
Positive
- Acquisition price $150 million upfront cash plus up to $30 million milestones
- Evidence base 9 peer-reviewed publications and 40+ posters/abstracts supporting UroAmp
- Clinical signal RUMBLE study: 25% vs 91% 12-month recurrence-free survival for utDNA-positive vs utDNA-negative patients
- Portfolio expansion Adds urine-based UroAmp platform alongside Decipher Bladder and TrueMRD tests
Negative
- Commercial timing Initial UroAmp-based test not expected to launch until late 2028, subject to reimbursement
News Explained
The completed acquisition includes
Key Figures
- Upfront cash consideration
- $150 million
- Acquisition consideration
- Milestone consideration
- Up to $30 million
- Additional cash tied to UroAmp reimbursement efforts
- Expected commercialization
- Late 2028
- Initial UroAmp test, subject to reimbursement timelines
- 12-month recurrence-free survival
- 25%
- Clinically negative after BCG induction but utDNA-positive patients
- 12-month recurrence-free survival
- 91%
- Clinically negative after BCG induction and utDNA-negative patients
- Annual bladder cancer diagnoses
- Approximately 85,000 patients
- United States
- Annual NMIBC diagnoses
- About 65,000 patients
- United States
- Peer-reviewed publications
- Nine publications
- Evidence supporting UroAmp
Key Terms
urinary tumor dna medical
non-muscle invasive bladder cancer medical
recurrence-free survival medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Acquisition positions Veracyte to deliver powerful genomic insights from urine, tissue, and blood to help guide bladder cancer care across the patient journey
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT), a leading cancer diagnostics company, today announced its acquisition of Convergent Genomics. The acquisition adds Convergent Genomics’ UroAmp platform, including its proprietary urinary tumor DNA (utDNA) technology, to Veracyte’s product portfolio. To date, UroAmp has been clinically validated in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), including therapy-response monitoring and post-treatment surveillance.
In the U.S., there are approximately 85,000 patients diagnosed with bladder cancer annually, including about 65,000 with NMIBC. Of the 750,000 patients living with bladder cancer, approximately 600,000 are living with NMIBC.
NMIBC is generally confined to the bladder and may shed only limited tumor DNA into the bloodstream, which can make blood-based detection challenging. Urine, by contrast, comes into direct contact and can provide a highly relevant source of tumor-derived genomic information. UroAmp analyzes this information, creating the potential to help inform treatment decisions and monitor patients throughout their care.
“Bladder cancer care is advancing quickly, yet clinicians and patients still face significant uncertainty at critical decision points,” said Marc Stapley, Veracyte’s chief executive officer. “UroAmp brings a differentiated urine-based platform that is especially well suited to non-muscle-invasive disease. Together with our Decipher Bladder and TrueMRD tests, this acquisition strengthens Veracyte’s ability to deliver complementary insights from urine, tissue, and blood to help guide care across the bladder cancer continuum.”
UroAmp is supported by a robust and growing body of evidence, including nine peer-reviewed publications and more than 40 posters and abstracts. Veracyte’s initial test will be intended to help determine whether patients who have completed Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) induction therapy are likely to benefit from maintenance treatment. The company expects to commercialize this test in late 2028, subject to reimbursement timelines. Veracyte also plans to expand its use of the UroAmp platform to additional indications, including intravesical maintenance therapy monitoring and surveillance following treatment with curative intent.
In the RUMBLE study published in The Journal of Urology, a multicenter prospective clinical validation study, patients who were clinically negative following induction BCG treatment but tested positive for utDNA had a 12-month recurrence-free survival rate of
“This acquisition brings together UroAmp’s differentiated platform and scientific expertise with Veracyte’s evidence-generation capabilities, commercial infrastructure, and established relationships,” said Brian Slingerland, chief executive officer, Convergent Genomics. “We believe this combination can help accelerate the development of new tools that give physicians greater confidence in treatment and monitoring decisions and can ultimately improve care for people living with bladder cancer.”
The acquisition includes
About Convergent Genomics
Convergent Genomics was founded in 2015 by Trevor Levin, PhD, chief scientific officer, and a team of cancer biologists, urologic oncologists, and data scientists, in partnership with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Illumina Accelerator. The company has received multiple peer-review grants from the National Cancer Institute and is engaged in research with over 30 sites worldwide, including leading academic centers. Convergent Genomics operates its clinical laboratory in South San Francisco that is certified by the California Department of Public Health and nationally by CLIA-CMS. For more information visit www.convergentgenomics.com.
About Veracyte
Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) is a global diagnostics company with a vision to transform cancer care for patients around the world. The company’s molecular tests assess the unique biology of each patient’s tumor to help clinicians answer essential questions about cancer care. Veracyte’s Diagnostics Platform combines broad genomic and clinical data, advanced bioinformatics and AI, and a powerful evidence-generation engine to support continued innovation and pipeline development. The company’s portfolio includes the Afirma® Genomic Sequencing Classifier test, Decipher® Bladder Genomic Classifier test, Decipher® Prostate Genomic Classifier test, Prosigna® Breast Risk of Recurrence test, and the TrueMRD™ Monitoring Test for MIBC. For more information, visit Veracyte’s website or follow the company on LinkedIn or X (Twitter).
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the anticipated short and long term strategic, clinical, commercial and financial benefits of the acquisition; the expected impact of the acquisition on Veracyte’s near-term financial outlook; development, launch, commercialization, reimbursement and timing of tests based on the acquired technology, including UroAmp; the anticipated timing of launch of the first product; estimated market opportunities; potential commercial synergies; potential applications of UroAmp in other urological diseases; and ability to achieve anticipated milestones.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “could” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including Veracyte’s ability to integrate Convergent, retain key employees, achieve anticipated benefits of the acquisition, meet development timelines, demonstrate clinical validity and utility of acquired products, obtain reimbursement for acquired products and commercialize new tests, including UroAmp.
Additional factors are described under “Risk Factors” in Veracyte’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements speak only as of the date of this release, and Veracyte disclaims any obligation to update them except as required by law.
Investors:
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+1 650-351-8780
1 Bahlburg H, Maas M, Contreras-Sanz A, et al. Urine tumor DNA testing identifies recurrence and monitors therapy response in patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer receiving intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin. J Urol. 2026;216(3):388-399. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000005130.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What clinical data support the UroAmp platform in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer?
UroAmp is supported by nine peer-reviewed publications and more than 40 posters and abstracts. In the multicenter prospective RUMBLE study in The Journal of Urology, patients who were clinically negative after induction BCG but utDNA-positive had a 12-month recurrence-free survival rate of 25%, compared with 91% for utDNA-negative patients.
How does Veracyte plan to use UroAmp initially?
Veracyte’s initial test based on UroAmp is planned to help determine whether patients who have completed BCG induction therapy are likely to benefit from maintenance treatment. Commercialization of this test is expected in late 2028, subject to reimbursement timelines.
What additional future uses does Veracyte envision for the UroAmp platform?
The company plans to expand UroAmp to additional indications, including monitoring intravesical maintenance therapy and surveillance following treatment with curative intent for bladder cancer.
How does this acquisition fit with Veracyte’s existing bladder cancer portfolio?
Veracyte states that UroAmp’s urine-based platform complements its Decipher Bladder and TrueMRD tests, enabling the company to deliver genomic insights from urine, tissue, and blood across the bladder cancer care continuum.
Does the acquisition affect Veracyte’s 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance?
Veracyte contemplated Convergent Genomics’ ongoing operating expenses in its previously provided 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance and is not updating that guidance at this time.