PerkinElmer expands its screening in Mexico

PerkinElmer Inc., a Waltham company that makes equipment for genetic screening and drug research, said today that it will triple its neonatal screening capacity in Mexico.

Under the terms of a one-year agreement with the Mexican Ministry of Health, PerkinElmer said it will provide instrumentation, reagents, and screening expertise that will help the ministry screen for congenital hypothyroidism.

The company said in a press release: "In 2007, PerkinElmer provided technology to screen approximately 640,000 newborns in 14 laboratories across Mexico. Under this new agreement, that number will increase to approximately 1.9 million tests per year. Additionally, PerkinElmer will continue to collaborate with Mexican health authorities to assist them in further developing and expanding their program in the coming years."
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)