Siemens Healthineers has signed an agreement to buy Epocal, a subsidiary of Alere that develops and markets point-of-care blood diagnostic systems. These include the epoc Blood Analysis system, a handheld, wireless testing solution that provides gas, electrolyte, and metabolite results in approximately 30 seconds. The epoc Blood Analysis system is comprises the epoc reader, epoc host2 mobile computer, and epoc room-temperature stable BGEM test card, which features smartcard technology and a full menu of tests. “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 at 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.”

The transaction is subject to the completion of Abbott’s acquisition of Alere for $5.3 billion, which is expected to close in late 2017.