Deals, data and diagnoses: healthcare stocks stay active despite a softer week

• Apiam Animal Health agrees to $160m takeover by Adamantem Capital
• Lumos Diagnostics and Vitasora expand US healthcare reach with new trials and rollouts
• Regis Healthcare adds two Victorian aged care homes in $45m deal

The ASX healthcare sector broke its October winning streak with the S&P/ASX Health Care Index (XHJ) falling 1.74% for the past week, while the broader S&P/ASX 200 (XJO), also dipped – by 0.48% at the time of writing.

Dips aside, company news was anything but quiet in the healthcare sector with fresh takeover activity, clinical trial progress and acquisition updates keeping investors engaged across the board.

ASX vet play Apiam agrees to Adamantem to $160m takeover

Key ASX veterinary sector player Apiam Animal Health (ASX:AHX) has entered a binding implementation deed with Adamantem Capital Management two months after the Sydney-based private equity firm launched its ~$160 million takeover bid.

Under the deal, Apiam shareholders will receive 87 cents per share with the option to choose 100% scrip or a mix of scrip and cash. The offer represents a 63% premium to Apiam’s last closing price before the bid was announced and a slight reduction from Adamanten’s 88 cent original offer, reflecting its recent 1 cent dividend payout.

The Apiam board has unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favour of the scheme in the absence of a superior proposal.  Founder Chris Richards, who holds 19.9% of Apiam shares under an option deed, has commited his support for the transaction.

Lumos launches paediatric CLIA waiver study

Lumos Diagnostics (ASX:LDX) has started a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver study in the US for paediatric patients aged two to 12 for its FebriDx rapid diagnostic test, marking a significant step toward expanding the product’s market and patient base.

FebriDx is a simple, point-of-care test that can quickly distinguish between bacterial and non-bacterial acute respiratory infections, enabling clinicians to make faster, more accurate treatment decisions and supports antibiotic stewardship by reducing unnecessary prescriptions.

Supported by the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the study will evaluate FebriDx in children aged two to 12 years in CLIA-waived clinical settings, including physician offices, urgent care clinics or other outpatient clinics that do not operate under high-complexity laboratory certification.

FebriDx is cleared for use in patients aged 12-64 presenting to urgent or emergency care settings with acute respiratory infection who have had symptoms for less than seven days and within three days of fever onset.

Supported by BARDA,  Lumos has submitted a US FDA application seeking to expand the device into CLIA-waived settings for patients aged 12-64. The proposed aged eligibility extension would enable US clinicians treating children aged two to 12, to access an additional diagnostic device to help differentiate between acute bacterial infections from non-bacterial.

Vitasora expands US footprint with major chronic care rollout

Vitasora Health (ASX:VHL) jumped more than 23% on Friday morning, after announcing the expansion of its Chronic Care and Remote Patient Monitoring services across the US mainland, following a successful pilot in Hawaii.

The rollout will target 20,000 to 30,000 patients in 2026, focusing on rural communities under Medicare’s MSSP and FFS programs, and is expected to deliver US$12 to 18 million in annual recurring revenue.

Regis adds two Victorian aged care homes

One of Australia’s largest aged care operators Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) is increasing its Victorian portfolio with the purchase of Ocean Mist in Torquay with 120 beds and Drysdale Grove in Drysdale with 110 beds for $45m.

As part of the transaction, Regis is expected to assume a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) liability of ~$36 million with potential further RAD upside from increasing occupancy and room pricing.

Regis’ Managing Director and CEO Dr Linda Mellors said the acquisition strengthens its footprint in Victoria, extending reach west of Melbourne into a rapidly growing regional area with increasing demand for aged care services.

“The acquisition brings two well-established, high-quality homes with a strong reputation for care into the Regis portfolio. We are excited to welcome residents, families, staff and the broader communities, and remain committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive transition.

“Upon completion, Regis will have added 13 homes and more than 1,700 beds through acquisition over the past two years.”

Regis provides services to more than 10,000 older Australians through residential aged care homes, home care service hubs, day therapy and respite centres, and retirement villages.

At Stockhead, we tell it like it is. While Lumos Diagnostics is a Stockhead advertiser, the company did not sponsor this article.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.