Oct 28 (Reuters) - Medical equipment maker Thermo Fisher

is nearing an all-cash takeover of U.S-based Clario in a

deal that could value the clinical trial data management company

at about $10 billion, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

The acquisition could be announced as early as Wednesday,

provided the deal process does not meet any last-minute

roadblocks, according to the FT report.

If finalized, the deal would mark the Massachusetts,

U.S.-based company's largest purchase since its $17.4 billion

takeover of contract research firm PPD in 2021.

Thermo Fisher and Clario did not immediately respond to

Reuters' requests for a comment.

Clario, a software provider for drugmakers, was founded in

2021 from the merger of health tech firms ERT and Bioclinica. It

counts private equity groups Nordic Capital and Astorg among its

shareholders, according to its website.

Earlier this year, Thermo Fisher announced that it would

acquire medical device maker Solventum's ( SOLV ) purification

and filtration business for about $4.1 billion.

Projecting robust demand for lab tools and benefits from its

recent acquisitions, Thermo Fisher also raised its forecast for

annual profit and revenue last week.