NEW YORK (360Dx) – Siemens Healthineers today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Epocal, an Alere subsidiary developing point-of-care blood diagnostic systems.
Alere said in a document filed with the US Securites and Exchange Commission that it is selling Epocal in connection with a review by the US Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission of the pending $5.3 billion acquisition of Alere by Abbott.
The terms of the Epocal sale were not disclosed.
Founded in 2001 and based in Ottawa, Ontario, Epocal became a subsidiary of Alere in early 2013.
Today's acquisition includes Epocal's Epoc Blood Analysis System, a handheld, wireless testing solution that provides blood gas, electrolyte, and metabolite results at near-patient settings in about 30 seconds after sample introduction, Siemens said.
"As one of the market leaders in blood gas, the acquisition of the Epoc product line will enable us to provide the right solution in the right setting, all from one partner," said Peter Koerte, president of Point of Care Diagnostics, Siemens Healthineers. "The acquisition complements our existing offerings in the point of care diagnostics space, with a view to provide customers globally with a full range of blood gas solutions."
Siemens said that with a product line ranging from a low-volume, single-use handheld device to a high-volume, multiuse benchtop solution, the firm can help its customers improve their workflows.
The transaction is subject to the completion of Abbott's buy of Alere, as well as regulatory approvals.