Roche is expanding its diagnostics business with the acquisition of Germany's PVT in a deal that could be worth up to $118 million, according to PharmaTimes.

The Swiss company is buying PVT and its US distribution arm based in Georgia for $90 million upfront, plus an additional $28 million for performance-related milestones.

PVT specializes in customized automation and workflow solutions for in vitro diagnostic testing in large commercial and hospital laboratories. Roche Diagnostics chief operating officer Daniel O'Day said, “increasing laboratory consolidation leading to testing volumes of tens of thousands samples per day demand an ever-higher degree of automation,” and PVT’s technology will strengthen the firm's growth and competitive advantage in the laboratory core business.