Thermo Fisher to sell three analytical divisions to GE Healthcare

Thermo Fisher Scientific has agreed to sell three of its analytical technology divisions to GE Healthcare for just over $1 billion (£645 million). The move is intended to satisfy the demands of US competition regulators and speed up final approval for Thermo’s ongoing takeover of Life Technologies.

GE will take over Thermo’s cell culture supplies, gene modulation and magnetic beads businesses, which are expected to generate combined sales in the region of $250 million for 2013.