May 29 (Reuters) - Agilent Technologies narrowly missed second-quarter revenue estimates and lowered its full-year revenue forecast on Wednesday, hurt by soft demand from its biotech customers for the company's medical tools and equipment used in clinical studies.

Shares of the company were down 12.8% at $126.50 after the bell.

The equipment maker forecast full-year revenue in the range of $6.42 billion to $6.50 billion, compared to its previous estimate of $6.71 billion to $6.81 billion. Analysts were expecting full-year revenue of $6.77 billion, according to LSEG data.

"While we see the market improving, it is improving at a slower pace than anticipated," said Padraig McDonnell, Agilent CEO.

Some industry analysts expect funding for early-stage biotechs, which witnessed a slump amid rising interest rates last year, to stabilize in 2024.

Larger peer Danaher said that it expects the impact of reduced demand to continue into the second quarter of 2024.

Agilent reported revenue of $1.57 billion for the quarter ended April 30, narrowly missing estimates of $1.58 billion.

Revenue from its largest segment, life sciences and applied markets fell 14% to $754 million during the quarter.

The segment offers laboratory instruments, consumables and software for its customers to be used for clinical research and testing.

Revenue in its diagnostics and genomics unit fell 9% to $417 million, compared with $456 million a year ago.

On an adjusted basis, the California-based company reported a profit of $1.22 per share, ahead of analysts' estimates of $1.19 per share.

The company forecast third-quarter revenue in the range of $1.54 billion to $1.58 billion.

(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona)