Report: Baxter in Talks to Buy Gambro for $4B

Baxter International Inc is in talks to buy Swedish medical-equipment maker Gambro for about $4 billion to boost its kidney dialysis business, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said the companies are trying to complete the deal within the next two to three weeks.

Baxter, based in suburban Chicago, also manufactures drug infusion pumps and blood therapy products. The company could not be reached by Reuters for comment.

Gambro declined comment, the Journal said.

Gambro is owned by two Nordic private-equity firms. Investor AB, which owns 49 percent, declined to comment; EQT, which owns 51 percent, was not immediately available.

Baxter's dialysis machines perform a form of dialysis called peritoneal, which can be performed at home. Gambro is one of the largest makers of equipment for hemodialysis, which is generally performed in a hospital or clinic.

Baxter has considered a deal with Gambro for years, according to The Wall Street Journal reported, quoting one person who is familiar with the companies.