News Article

Listed US-based supplier of scientific instrumentation, reagents, consumables, and software Thermo Fisher Scientific has agreed to divest its global microbiology business to the European private equity firm Astorg.

The transaction, valued at approximately $1.075bn, is slated to close in the second half of 2026 subject to customary regulatory approvals.

For operators in the clinical and laboratory space, the transition marks a significant shift in ownership for a foundational supplier. The microbiology division, which houses established brands such as Remel and Oxoid, supplies antimicrobial susceptibility testing and culture media solutions for clinical, pharmaceutical and food safety applications.

Operating previously within Thermo Fisher’s Specialty Diagnostics segment, the unit employs around 2,400 staff across 13 global manufacturing and research and development sites. Under Astorg, the business will emerge as an independent platform.

From an investor perspective, the divestment aligns with Thermo Fisher’s active portfolio management strategy, signalling a continued pivot away from the traditional in vitro diagnostics space to focus on its higher growth biopharma service offerings.