The Kansas Bioscience Authority has agreed to support a multimillion dollar expansion of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s microbiology business unit in Lenexa.

The authority will spend up to $1.25 million during the next five years as Thermo Fisher expands its work force and invests in new laboratories and production space.

The business manufactures and distributes Remel products to clinical, industrial and academic laboratories worldwide. The products include diagnostic and specimen tests, quality control products and a variety of other laboratory supplies.

The partnership benefits Thermo Fisher Scientific and Kansas, said Tom Thornton, president of the bioscience authority.

The Lenexa operation has more than 470 employees.