Analytical/other equipment and instruments, laboratory reagents and consumables, science software and services—for research, discovery, analysis, and manufacturing (incl. pharmaceutical and diagnostic products)
It ranked 104th on theFortune 500 list based on its 2024 annual revenue of $42.879 billion.[8]
Thermo Fisher announced a $2 billion investment over four years in the U.S., including $1.5 billion for expanding manufacturing capacity and $500 million for R&D investment. This initiative aims to bolster domestic biotech manufacturing, create high-paying jobs, and reinforce the U.S. healthcare supply chain.[9]
Fisher Scientific was founded in 1902 by Chester G. Fisher fromPittsburgh.[12][13] It focused on providing laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety, and education.[14]
On May 8, 2006, Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific announced that they wouldmerge in a tax-free, stock-for-stock exchange; the merged company was named Thermo Fisher Scientific, and had about 30,000 employees, and reported US$9 billion in combined revenue.[15] On November 9, 2006, the companies announced that the merger had been completed.[16] However, theFederal Trade Commission ruled that this acquisition was anti-competitive regardingcentrifugal evaporators, requiring Fisher to divestGenevac.[17] In April 2007, Genevac was sold to Riverlake Partners LLC[18] and the merger closed with FTC approval.[19]
The company's products are sold under the brand names of Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific, and several other recognized brand names (e.g. Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen,Patheon,PPD, andNalgene). According to company figures, as of 2007, 46% of its sales were inlife sciences, 20% inhealthcare, and 34% in industrial/environmental and safety.[14]
In 1990, Thermo Fisher Scientific (then known as Thermo Instrument Systems) acquired mass spectrometer manufacturer Finnigan Instrument Corporation.[20]
In 2003, the company (then Fisher Scientific International) acquired Perbio Science, a transaction that included brands such as Pierce Biotechnology, HyClone and Endogen.[21]In April 2006, BioImage was acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific.[22] The merger was complete in November 2006, and technology transfer to a US site was completed during 2007 and 2008.[23][24] BioImage was established in 1993 as a drug discovery research unit led by Ole Thastrup withinNovo Nordisk, from which it spun out of in 1999. It had specialized in developing and selling proprietarybioassays tobiopharmaceutical companies and research institutions. It made broadpatents coveringEnhanced GFP (EGFP), GFP-based biosensors and any genetically encodedprotein fusion to aluminophore, with subsequent monitoring of theprotein'stranslocation within acell as the primary readout fordrug discovery assays.[25]
In December 2010, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced its acquisition of Dionex for $2.1 billion.[26]
In May 2011, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. boughtPhadia to expand into the testing of allergies andautoimmune diseases for €2.47 billion ($3.5 billion) in cash.[27]
In April 2013, after a competitive bidding withHoffmann-La Roche,[28] Thermo Fisher acquiredLife Technologies Corporation forUS$13.6 billion in a deal, adding further service lines related to advanced DNA sequencing andgenetic testing.[29] Life Technologies was originally formed in 2008 through a $6.7B merger ofInvitrogen, a cell therapy, andApplied Biosystems.[30] The company also acquired GIBCO (Grand Island Biological Company) as part of the Life Technologies acquisition.[31]
In February 2015, the company announced it would acquire Advanced Scientifics for $300 million in a cash-deal. ASI designs manufactures, and delivers technologies used in bioprocessing.[32] In June 2015, the company announced its intention to acquire Alfa Aesar, a global manufacturer of research chemicals for $405 million[33] fromJohnson Matthey, and the acquisition was completed at the end of September[34]
In January 2016, the company announced it would acquireAffymetrix for $1.3 billion.[35] On May 27, 2016, the company announced it would acquireFEI Company for $4.2 billion, a manufacturer ofelectron microscopes.[36] This acquisition is anticipated to close in early 2017 and will contribute to the growth of Thermo's Analytical Instruments business group.[37] In November the company announced it would acquire MTI-GlobalStem, a previously privately held company that develops reagents for cell transfection, neurobiology and stem cell research.[38]
In February 2017, the company acquired Finesse Solutions, Inc., developer of scalable control automation systems and software for bioproduction after receiving early termination of the waiting period under theHart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.[39] The transaction was completed a day later.[40] In March, the company announced it would acquire Core Informatics, provider of cloud-based platforms supporting scientific data management.[41] In August, the company acquired Patheon, acontract development and manufacturing organization serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, for approximately $7.2 billion.[42] As of 2017, the company had revenues of $20.9 billion, and was aFortune 500 company.[43]
In September 2018, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced it had signed a definitive agreement withBecton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) to acquire their Advanced Bioprocessing business. This BD business had annualized revenue of approximately $100 million; as of October 16, 2018, it had been integrated into Thermo Fisher's Life Sciences Solutions Segment.[44]
In March 2019, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced its entry into thegene therapy manufacturing market with a $1.7 billion cash acquisition for Brammer Bio.[45][46][47] In May 2019, Thermo Fisher Scientific partnered with MMJ International Holdings to manufacture drug products developed by MMJ for the treatment ofmultiple sclerosis andHuntington's disease.[48] In June, the business announced it would acquire mass spectrometry software provider, HighChem.[49]
In March 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific receivedemergency use authorization from the FDA for a test forSARS-CoV-2 to help mitigate theCOVID-19 pandemic.[citation needed] Thermo Fisher also partnered with its biopharma customers, including Pfizer and Moderna, tosupport the development and production of new mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.[50][51]
In March 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific agreed to purchaseQiagen, a molecular diagnostics company, for $10.1 billion.[52] In July, the offer for Qiagen was raised from €39 to €43 per share (€11.3 billion in total).[53][54] On August 13, the company announced that its offer to acquire all of the ordinary share had lapsed, and it terminated the acquisition agreement.[55]
In August 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific opened its new Lenexa facility aimed at boosting the production and manufacturing of COVID-19 testing supplies.[56] In December the business announced it would acquire Phitonex, Inc.[57]
In January 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced it had acquired Belgium-based viral vector manufacturer, Henogen SA, fromGroupe Novasep SAS for €725 million in cash[58][59][60] and point-of-care molecular diagnostics provider Mesa Biotech, Inc. for up to $550 million.[61][62]
In April 2021, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the acquisition ofPPD, Inc., a contract research organization, for a total cash purchase price of $17.4 billion-plus the assumption of approximately $3.5 billion of net debt. PPD generated $4.7 billion in revenue during FY 2020, and this transaction, which values their company at approximately $20.9 billion.[63] In November, the business announced it would acquirePharmaFluidics and itsμPAC range of micro-chip-based chromatography products.[64]
In January 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired PeproTech, a developer and manufacturer of recombinant proteins, for $1.85 billion. PeproTech became part of Thermo Fisher’s biosciences business and was integrated into the Life Sciences Solutions Segment.[65]
In October 2022, the company agreed to buy British diagnostics firm, The Binding Site Group, in an all-cash deal for US$2.6billion fromNordic Capital.[66][67] The acquisition completed in January 2023.[68]
In July 2023, the business announced it would acquire CorEvitas, LLC from Audax Private Equity for more than $900 million in cash.[69] In August 2023, it was announced Thermo Fisher had completed the acquisition for $912.5 million (in cash).[70]
In October 2023, Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired Olink Holding for $3.1 billion.[71]
In February 2025, Thermo Fisher announced the acquisition of Solventum’s purification and filtration business for $4.1 billion.[72]
In July 2025, Thermo Fisher added drug manufacturing capabilities in the United States through its purchase of a sterile fill-finish and packaging plant from Sanofi in Ridgefield, New Jersey.[73]
In October 2025, Thermo Fisher announced a deal to acquireClario Holdings—an endpoint data management solutions provider—for $8.88 billion in cash from a shareholder group includingNovo Holding. The transaction was expected to close mid-2026.[74]
Thermo Fisher Scientific acquisitions
Thermo Fisher Scientific(formed in 2006 by the merger of Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific)
Marc N. Casper is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific.[82] He first joined Thermo Electron in December 2001 as Vice President of the Life and Laboratory Sciences segment. In November 2006, when Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific merged to form Thermo Fisher Scientific, Casper was named executive vice president of the company and president of the Analytical Technologies Group. He became president and CEO in 2009.[83]
In September 2017, Thermo Fisher Scientific signed an agreement with the Institute of Pathology Heidelberg (IPH) to establish its Center of Molecular Pathology atHeidelberg University Hospital as the newest member of the Next Generation Sequencing Companion Dx Center of Excellence Program (COEP). The initiative focuses on establishing strategic collaborations with leading, European-based organizations that can lead studies using Thermo Fisher's Oncomine portfolio of research panels destined for development as companion diagnostics to help drive precisiononcology in the region.[84]
In 2021, Thermo Fisher announced the construction of a cell therapy development, manufacturing and collaboration center in cooperation withUniversity of California, San Francisco on the school's Mission Bay campus.[85]
In February 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced a 15-year strategic collaborationagreement with Moderna, Inc. The collaboration was designed to scale up themanufacturing of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine and other investigational mRNAproducts.[86]
In May 2023, Thermo Fisher partnered withPfizer, with plans to work together on expanding testing capabilities for lung and breast cancer patients.[87]
In November 2023, Thermo Fisher partnered withFlagship Pioneering, a biotechnology company.[88] Together, they plan to create companies in the biotechnology field.[89]
In January 2025, Thermo Fisher partnered with the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP) to support the world’s largest human proteomics study. Using the Olink Explore platform, UKB-PPP seeks to analyze more than 5,400 proteins from 600,000 samples to fuel the discovery of new protein biomarkers that can be used to predict, diagnose, and treat diseases.[90][91]
In February 2025, Thermo Fisher entered a 10-year virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with X-ELIO to secure 118 megawatts of solar energy, moving its European operations closer to a 100% renewable electricity goal.[92]
In June 2025, Thermo Fisher partnered with the Regeneron Genetics Center which selected the Olink Explore platform for large-scale proteomics investigation involving nearly 200,000 patient samples aiming to unlock new insights into the dynamic biology and mechanisms of human disease.[93]
In February 2019, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced that it would stop selling its equipment inXinjiang.[94] In June 2020, Thermo Fisher Scientific was reported to sell its equipment to security services in China for use in what was alleged as part of a genetic surveillance program.[95] A report from theAustralian Strategic Policy Institute found that Thermo Fisher Scientific collaborated with the ChineseMinistry of Public Security to develop a Huaxia PCR amplification kit specifically to identify the genotypes ofUyghur,Tibetan andHui ethnic minorities.[96] In June 2021,The New York Times reported that, despite bans, Thermo Fisher Scientific equipment continued to be sold to police in Xinjiang.[97]
In 2022, following reports that Thermo Fisher Scientific had sold products to police in theTibet Autonomous Region,[98] theInter-Parliamentary Alliance on China called on governments to "investigate and suspend commercial activities with companies providing the PRC government with technologies to carry out biometric surveillance in the Uyghur Region, Tibet and elsewhere in the PRC, including the PRC state backedBGI Group and US firm Thermo Fisher."[99] Thermo Fisher Scientific subsequently halted sales of DNA collection kits in Tibet.[100]
In October 2021 the estate ofHenrietta Lacks sued to get past and future payment for the alleged and widely known unauthorized sale by Thermo Fisher Scientific of herHeLa cells which are essential in many types of research.[101] Over 50 million tons of her cells have been produced and used in over 60,000 scientific studies touching virtually every realm of medicine, including the development ofpolio vaccines,gene mapping,in-vitro fertilization, and multitudes more.[102][103][104]
In May 2022, it was announced Thermo Fisher Scientific went to court to seek a dismissal of the lawsuit.[105] In late July 2023, with the motion to dismiss still outstanding, the court ordered the parties to attend a settlement conference.[106][107] Soon after that, settlement of the suit, with undisclosed terms, was announced.[108]
In 2013, Opengate Capital Group LLC filed suit against Thermo Fisher Scientific for selling it a manufacturing plant controlled by theGulf Cartel. According to Opengate Capital, the company withheld important documents and pressured employees into concealing the presence of the drug cartel.[109][110]
US$42.9 billion (2024)
US$97.3 billion (2024)
