Diagnostic information services provider Quest Diagnostics has purchased UMass Memorial Medical Center's clinical outreach laboratory and anatomic pathology outreach laboratory businesses based in Worcester, Massachusetts, US.

The acquisition of laboratory businesses will add approximately 50 new patient service centers to Quest’s existing 75 centers in the state, while also extending the range of diagnostic information services in New England.

In addition, academic faculty and other clinical and laboratory experts from UMass Memorial and its academic partner University of Massachusetts Medical School will provide physician pathology and other clinical services to Quest.

Under the acquisition, Quest will incorporate the acquired laboratory businesses, along with its existing full-service clinical laboratory in Cambridge and Athena Diagnostics specialty neurology testing subsidiary in Worcester, in its new 200,000ft² clinical laboratory facility in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

The new facility is expected to be fully operational within next 18 to 24 months.

Quest Diagnostics president and CEO Steve Rusckowski aid once operational, the facility which is ‘Lab of the Future’ will be a vital asset in the company’s network of laboratories in the US.

"It will also provide the basis for us to continue to grow in New England and build shareholder value," Rusckowski added.

UMass Memorial Health Care president and CEO John O’Brien said, "This transaction with Quest Diagnostics will allow us to focus on our core hospital services, while ensuring that our physicians and patients receive exceptional diagnostic services from the industry leader."