Atossa Genetics ($ATOS) has been steadily expanding the reach of its ForeCYTE breast health test, and now the company has inked a distribution deal with Thermo Fisher ($TMO), seeking a brighter spotlight for a diagnostic Atossa says could change the lives of millions.

Under the agreement, Thermo will distribute Atossa’s hand-held MASCT testing device through its Fisher Healthcare segment, with Atossa processing ForeCYTE test results through its CLIA-certified lab in Seattle.

The device non-invasively collects small amounts of patients’ nipple aspirate fluid for cytological analysis, providing early detection of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions commonly missed in mammography, all through a 10-minute in-office procedure. That information can guide preventative treatment that could save lives and drag down rates of breast cancer, Atossa CEO Steven Quay said, much like the Pap smear has revolutionized cervical cancer diagnostics since its introduction.