Thermo Fisher Scientific agreed to sell its microbiology business to Astorg for about $1.075 billion, with expected closing in the second half of 2026. The divestiture covers the microbiology unit within Thermo Fisher’s specialty diagnostics segment. The company said the transaction is expected to be dilutive to adjusted earnings per share by $0.15 in the first full year after closing. Thermo Fisher will continue to focus on its broader life sciences and diagnostics platform while Astorg takes control of the microbiology assets. For the sector, the deal signals continued capital reallocation across diagnostics and reagents, with private equity remaining active in mid-sized specialty platforms.