Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) is nearing a deal to acquire PPD Inc. (PPD) for more than $15B and a deal could finalized as soon as this week, Jonathan Rockoff and Cara Lombardo of Wall Street Journal report, citing people familiar with the matter. PPD has a market value of about $13.6B, the Journal points out. Shares of PPD are up 13% to $43.50 following the report.