Oct 30 (Reuters) - Bio-Techne beat first-quarter profit estimates on Wednesday helped by growth in its diagnostics and spatial biology segment, sending the shares of the biotech company up 4.59% in premarket trading.

On an adjusted basis, the Minnesota-based company posted a profit of 42 cents per share, surpassing the estimates of 38 cents per share, according to data collected by LSEG.

The recent Federal Reserve interest rate cuts could lower borrowing costs, offering relief to biotech companies—clients of contract drug manufacturers—that were forced to cut back on spending. Analysts are optimistic about a potential near-term recovery in the industry, which has been struggling since 2023.

"The strength in cell and gene therapy, combined with favorable year-to-date funding dynamics, gives us increased confidence in the forthcoming recovery in our biotech end market," CEO Kim Kelderman said on Wednesday.

Sales at its protein sciences unit remained flat at $204.5 million, compared with the previous year. The unit develops and manufactures biological compounds used for research and diagnostics and to develop cell and gene therapies.

Revenue from its diagnostics and spatial biology unit, which produces tools and compounds used to make therapeutics and vaccines, rose 14% to $83.2 million.

Larger peer Thermo Fisher raised its annual profit outlook last week, banking on improved demand for its tools and services used in clinical trials.

Total revenue for the quarter came in at $289.5 million, beating analysts' estimates of $280.26 million.

(Reporting by Unnamalai L in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)

((Unnamalai.L@thomsonreuters.com;))