Thermo, Fisher to Divest $17M Product Line

Thermo Electron Corp. and Fisher Scientific International Inc. announced Wednesday they have received a second request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in connection with the pending merger of the two companies. (See "$10.6B Deal Creates Huge Scientific Equipment Co.") The second request is limited to information concerning a single, minor product line.

Thermo and Fisher expect to resolve issues raised by the second request by agreeing to divest a $17 million product line of Fisher's. The companies also expect to obtain termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act in October.

Thermo and Fisher are working cooperatively with the staff of the European Commission in connection with its review of the proposed merger. The companies continue to expect the transaction will close in the fourth quarter of 2006, following shareholder and regulatory approvals.

For more information, visit: www.thermo.com