Real Diagnostics, a clinical laboratory specializing in high-complexity molecular diagnostics and toxicology testing, has acquired SimplyTest, a provider of saliva-based oral health diagnostic tests. The acquisition expands Real Diagnostics’ laboratory portfolio into periodontal health testing and establishes a new service offering for dental practices.
Real Diagnostics is a portfolio company of HCAP Partners, a California-based private equity firm focused on investing in lower-middle-market companies.
The transaction adds SimplyTest’s flagship PERIO product to Real Diagnostics’ existing testing platform. PERIO uses a proprietary, noninvasive saliva collection process to identify bacteria associated with periodontal disease.
Patients provide a sample through a swish-and-spit collection method, allowing dental professionals to obtain information about specific periodontal pathogens without requiring more invasive procedures.
The resulting laboratory analysis provides organism-level information that clinicians can use when evaluating treatment options and monitoring patients’ periodontal health over time.
Real Diagnostics plans to incorporate this capability into its existing provider service model, enabling dental practices to access specialized oral health testing through the company’s laboratory network.
The acquisition also expands the types of healthcare providers served by Real Diagnostics, which has historically focused on physicians, hospitals, and other medical practices.
The company’s established laboratory services include molecular testing for urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, vaginosis, respiratory infections, and toxicology.
Its diagnostic platform uses polymerase chain reaction technology alongside specialized laboratory capabilities to identify infectious organisms and provide additional information relevant to treatment decisions.
Real Diagnostics also offers phenotypic antibiotic resistance analysis intended to help clinicians evaluate patient- and pathogen-specific treatment options.
By combining SimplyTest’s periodontal testing technology with its existing molecular diagnostic capabilities, Real Diagnostics aims to provide a broader range of testing services while maintaining established laboratory workflows.
The acquisition is also intended to create opportunities for greater collaboration between medical and dental providers as diagnostic testing becomes increasingly important in the assessment and management of oral health conditions.
SimplyTest’s existing provider relationships and support services will continue following the transaction, with the PERIO product remaining available without interruption.
Testing will continue under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments certification standards, preserving the laboratory quality framework applicable to the services.
Real Diagnostics also plans to support dental practices through its established billing, reporting, and secure results delivery capabilities.
The acquisition reflects HCAP Partners’ strategy of supporting portfolio companies through investments that expand service capabilities and create opportunities for growth.
HCAP Partners invests in established businesses across healthcare, software, services, and manufacturing. The firm typically targets investments between $5 million and $35 million in companies generating approximately $10 million to $100 million in annual revenue.
For Real Diagnostics, the addition of SimplyTest represents an expansion beyond its existing infectious disease and toxicology testing services into a specialized diagnostic category serving dental professionals.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are thrilled to incorporate the visionary leadership and deeply talented team at SimplyTest, whose commitment to innovation has redefined industry standards and enhances our mission of humanizing healthcare. The natural affinity between our operations enables us to seamlessly integrate the SimplyTest® PERIO product into our best-in-class provider service model and begin immediately serving dental practices with the most advanced diagnostic tools available to improve patient health outcomes.”
Cary Breese, CEO Of Real Diagnostics
“The addition of molecular oral health testing complements Real Diagnostics’ industry-leading high complexity PCR-testing expertise. We are proud of the team at Real Diagnostics, and this strategic acquisition aligns with Real Diagnostics’ work to accelerate the delivery of next-generation diagnostic solutions to a broader range of providers and patients.”
Ben Consoli, Vice President At HCAP Partners
