Thermo Fisher Scientific Reaches Agreement to Sell its Cell Culture, Gene Modulation and Magnetic Beads Businesses to GE Healthcare

Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO), the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has signed an agreement to sell its cell culture (sera and media), gene modulation and magnetic beads businesses to GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), for approximately $1.06 billion. The businesses will become part of GE Healthcare's Life Sciences division.

The combined revenue of the three businesses, which are primarily part of Thermo Fisher's Analytical Technologies Segment, is expected to be approximately $250 million in 2013. Thermo Fisher committed to sell these businesses to expedite approval of its pending acquisition of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) by the European Commission.

The acquisition remains subject to additional regulatory approvals, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Based on its discussions with the FTC, Thermo Fisher does not believe any additional divestures will be required in order to receive U.S. approval. The company is working with the remaining jurisdictions to obtain the approvals required to complete the acquisition as soon as possible, and continues to expect to close in early 2014.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenue of $13 billion, we have 39,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through three premier brands, Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services, which offer a unique combination of innovative technologies, convenient purchasing options and a single solution for laboratory operations management. Our products and services help our customers solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity.