SECAUCUS, N.J. and CLEVELAND, Dec. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Cleveland HeartLab. Quest will establish a national center of excellence focused on heart disease diagnostics within Cleveland HeartLab's existing 25,000 square-foot clinical laboratory facility in Cleveland.

The acquisition combines the expertise of Cleveland HeartLab's personalized evaluation of heart disease risk based on inflammation and other markers with Quest's Cardio IQ^® lipid particle analysis and genetic and metabolic testing leadership. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Conventional laboratory tests to assess cardiovascular disease, such as cholesterol panels, may not identify risk in all patients. New inflammation, genetic and other biomarkers may help physicians identify at-risk patients and guide treatment protocols to improve outcomes.

"Heart disease is often preventable, but too often patients don't realize they are at risk until it is too late," said Steve Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO, Quest Diagnostics. "Joining together with Cleveland HeartLab will expand access to cardiometabolic diagnostic innovations that can help patients identify their personal risk and achieve the best possible health outcomes. It supports our strategy to accelerate growth while also helping more patients gain the insights they need to lead healthier lives."

In connection with the acquisition, Quest Diagnostics and Cleveland Clinic have also finalized a strategic collaboration intended to speed the commercialization of  emerging innovations at Cleveland Clinic, including its Lerner Research Institute. The two entities also intend to collaborate on trials to demonstrate the clinical and economic value of these and other biomarkers.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 43,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. For more information, please visit www.QuestDiagnostics.com. 

50th Anniversary: In 2017, Quest Diagnostics celebrates 50 years of life-changing results. To learn about our legacy of accomplishments and quest to improve healthcare in the future, visit www.QuestDiagnostics.com/50Years.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics