Quest Diagnostics has partnered with Octave Bioscience to make the Octave® Multiple Sclerosis Disease Activity (MSDA) Test available at more than 7,000 Quest patient‑service centers across the United States. The MSDA Test is a blood‑based biomarker panel that measures 18 proteins to generate a disease‑activity score, providing clinicians with an objective tool to monitor relapse risk and treatment response in people with multiple sclerosis.
Octave Bioscience, a commercial‑stage precision‑care company, has positioned the MSDA Test as the first clinically validated multi‑analyte blood test for MS. The test’s AI‑driven algorithm has received New York State CLEP certification and is already used in clinical practice, but its reach has been limited to a handful of specialty labs. By leveraging Quest’s nationwide specimen‑collection network, Octave can scale the test to every Quest location, dramatically expanding its potential patient base and accelerating adoption among neurologists and primary‑care providers.
Quest’s neurology portfolio already includes more than 400 tests, and the addition of the MSDA Test strengthens its high‑growth segment. The partnership also grants Quest first rights to provide specimen‑collection services for future Octave tests in multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, creating a long‑term channel for new product launches. This aligns with Quest’s strategy of expanding its test menu through selective collaborations, a tactic that has driven recent revenue growth and margin expansion.
Quest’s Q3 2025 results—revenue of $2.82 billion, up 13.1% YoY, and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.60—illustrate the company’s robust execution. The firm raised its full‑year 2025 guidance to a reported EPS range of $8.58–$8.66, reflecting confidence in continued demand for high‑margin diagnostics. The MSDA partnership is expected to add incremental test volume and revenue, reinforcing Quest’s competitive moat in the neurology segment and supporting its broader growth trajectory.
"The Octave MSDA Test is an important clinical innovation because it harnesses a simple blood test to illuminate relapse and treatment response in patients with MS," said Dr. Michael Racke, Senior Medical Director of Neurology at Quest Diagnostics. "By making it available through our nationwide network, we are making it easier for patients and their physicians to access these insights." CEO Doug Biehn of Octave added, "Partnering with Quest expands access to precision MS care and establishes a scalable path to bring forward additional tests from our expanding portfolio in neurological disease."
The content on BeyondSPX is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.