Thermo Fisher to Acquire Mesa Biotech for $450 Million

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced on Jan. 19, 2021 that it is acquiring Mesa Biotech, a US-based molecular diagnostic company for $450 million in cash.

Under the terms of the agreement, Thermo Fisher will pay an additional $100 million in cash if certain milestones are reached after the closing of the transaction, which is set for the first quarter of 2021, Thermo Fisher said in a company press release.

Through the acquisition, Thermo Fisher will have access to Mesa’s PCR-based rapid point-of-care testing platform for detecting infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, and Strep A, the press release said.

"Mesa Biotech's innovative platform will enable us to accelerate the availability of reliable and accurate advanced molecular diagnostics at the point of care. Since the start of the pandemic, Thermo Fisher has acted quickly to provide support to the scientists and healthcare professionals at the frontlines of combating COVID-19," said Mark Stevenson, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, in the press release. "The addition of Mesa Biotech's easy-to-use, rapid PCR-based test is highly complementary to our existing offering and will further help us meet the continuing demand for COVID-related testing while we work to rapidly scale and develop point-of care tests for other infectious diseases in the future."

Source: Thermo Fisher