Fulgent Genetics is accelerating its transformation into a comprehensive precision diagnostics platform with the announced acquisition of selected assets of Bako Diagnostics and the full acquisition of StrataDx in a combined transaction valued at approximately $55.5 million. The deal, which will be funded entirely with cash on hand, is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.
The acquisition marks a strategic expansion of Fulgent’s laboratory services business, adding anatomic pathology services, proprietary PCR-based molecular tests, and a significantly broader national client base. Together, Bako Diagnostics and StrataDx bring deep expertise in specialty pathology and dermatopathology, positioning Fulgent to meaningfully strengthen its diagnostic offerings across multiple clinical touchpoints.
Bako Diagnostics, headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a premier national provider of specialty laboratory testing with a comprehensive menu that includes anatomic pathology, molecular genetic testing, and peripheral neuropathy immunohistochemical analysis. StrataDx, based in Lexington, Massachusetts, is a leading dermatopathology laboratory serving providers nationwide with advanced diagnostics for skin diseases, including melanocytic lesions, lymphomas, and complex dermatoses. Both laboratories are CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited, and licensed in their respective states.
Strategically, the transaction aligns closely with Fulgent’s long-term vision of becoming a one-stop diagnostic partner across the healthcare continuum. One of the most compelling aspects of the deal is the opportunity to apply Fulgent’s existing investments in digital pathology and artificial intelligence to Bako’s and StrataDx’s operations. Fulgent has already developed proprietary tools such as Eziopath, an image management system designed to enhance workflow efficiency, turnaround time, and diagnostic quality. Integrating these technologies is expected to increase capacity while maintaining high clinical standards.
The acquisition also significantly expands Fulgent’s test menu. Bako’s proprietary PCR assays offer faster turnaround times and cost efficiencies, strengthening Fulgent’s competitive position in molecular diagnostics. Combined with StrataDx’s dermatopathology expertise, the expanded portfolio allows Fulgent to serve a wider range of clinicians and patients with more comprehensive diagnostic solutions.
Commercial synergies represent another major driver of the transaction. Bako’s nationwide sales organization will nearly double the size of Fulgent’s pathology-focused sales team, immediately extending its commercial reach. The expanded client base creates additional opportunities to cross-sell existing Fulgent services, deepen payer relationships, and increase access to covered lives through managed care contracts.
Geographically, the acquisition enhances Fulgent’s laboratory footprint with additional certified facilities in Georgia and Massachusetts, including New York State–approved labs. This broader presence improves logistical efficiency and positions the company for future growth in regulated markets.
Ming Hsieh, Chairman and CEO of Fulgent Genetics, emphasized the strategic fit of the deal, highlighting the company’s ability to layer new pathology services onto a rapidly growing laboratory platform while leveraging AI to drive efficiency and quality. Bako and StrataDx leadership echoed that sentiment, pointing to the benefits of combining specialized diagnostic expertise with Fulgent’s technology-driven infrastructure.
As healthcare increasingly shifts toward precision medicine, Fulgent’s acquisition of Bako Diagnostics and StrataDx represents a calculated step toward scale, integration, and long-term growth in advanced diagnostics.
