Thermo Fisher Scientific achieves record performance in Q1 2013

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2013, during which it achieved strong momentum despite challenging macroeconomic conditions.

The firm's revenue total came to $3.19 billion (2.05 billion pounds), up by four percent year over year to reach a new first-quarter record, while its adjusted earnings per share grew by 17 percent to a benchmark total of $1.37.

It was able to launch a number of innovative and important new product offerings at the industry conference Pittcon, including the next generation version of its premier chromatography software Chromeleon, the iCAP 7000 elemental analyser and picoSpin 45 miniature NMR spectrometer.

Additionally, the firm was able to expand its presence in emerging markets and agree a $13.6 billion deal to acquire Life Technologies.

It is expected that this takeover will create a combined entity that will be one of the largest organisations in the life sciences sector.

Marc Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: "We look forward to closing the transaction and executing a successful integration to create significant value for our customers and shareholders alike."