Thermo Fisher To Offer Anti-Zika Virus Test Kits, Notes First Tests Available In US

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. TMO announced on Monday that it is now offering consumers a test kit to enable detection of the Zika virus in research applications.

Thermo Fisher noted that its test is the first of its kind available in the US. The company added that its test also enables researches to detect the virus in samples over a much longer period of time than is possible with current detection methods.

"Since first learning about the Zika outbreak, we've worked closely with our colleagues at EUROIMMUN to mobilize resources and address this urgent need," said Mark Zacur, vice president and general manager of Thermo Fisher's healthcare market channel. "The EUROIMMUN test kits are an important step forward in the ongoing Zika response by facilitating a better understanding of the virus. We are pleased to have been chosen as their exclusive channel for making these tests available to our clinical research customers across the U.S."

Shares of Thermo Fisher showed no trades early Tuesday morning.