Stryker To Buy Boston Scientific Unit For $1.5B

Kalamazoo-based Stryker Corp. (NYSE: SYK) announced a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of the neurovascular division of Boston Scientific in an all cash transaction for $1.5 billion, which includes $100 million of milestone payments.

The purchase price also reflects consideration for the present value of the future tax benefit for Stryker based on the asset purchase structure of the transaction.

Boston Scientific Neurovascular is a global leader in the approximately $900 million worldwide neurovascular market, which includes products used for the minimally invasive treatment of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke.

With sales in 2009 of $348 million, Boston Scientific Neurovascular provides patients and physicians with the broadest offering of devices for the treatment of neurovascular disease, including detachable coils, stents, microcatheters and guidewires.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boston Scientific will receive $1.4 billion at closing with additional consideration of up to $100 million payable upon specified milestone events, including the commercialization of the next generation of Target detachable coils used to treat hemorrhagic stroke, and the transfer of specific manufacturing facilities related to the operation to Stryker, which is anticipated to occur over a 24-month period following the closing.

"The acquisition of Boston Scientific Neurovascular is an important strategic move as it positions us as a leader in the highly attractive neurovascular space, which we believe is well positioned to remain one of the fastest growing and most innovative sectors in medical technology," said Stephen P. MacMillan, Stryker CEO, chairman and president. "Today, through our Instruments, Orthopaedics and Spine divisions, Stryker offers complementary neurosurgery products to many of the same customers called on by Boston Scientific Neurovascular.  Going forward, the proposed acquisition allows us to substantially broaden our product offerings and relevance to these customers and over time, we believe will afford us with a unique competitive advantage. We are highly enthusiastic regarding the prospects for Boston Scientific Neurovascular's next generation portfolio of coils and other diagnostic and therapeutic devices, which are expected to provide the opportunity to regain momentum and return to market leading growth."

Boston Scientific Neurovascular sells products through a direct sales force in the U.S. and a combination of direct sales force and distributors outside the U.S. From 1997 to 2005, Boston Scientific Neurovascular expanded its core hemorrhagic stroke device offerings to include new detachable coils in the GDC family as well as a new family of Matrix  detachable coils. Additionally, Boston Scientific Neurovascular entered the developing ischemic stroke market with stent and balloon catheter launches. According to Stryker, it is close to launching a series of next generation neurovascular products with enhanced features and benefits which are expected to drive accelerating top line growth.

The Stryker Neurovascular business will be headed by Mark Paul, who is currently president of Boston Scientific Neurovascular. Upon completion of the acquisition, Paul will report to Curt Hartman, vice president and CFO of Stryker.

Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be breakeven to slightly accretive to Stryker's 2011 earnings per share excluding acquisition and integration-related charges. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2010.

To listen in on a conference call discussing the acquisition, visit  www.stryker.com or call (888) 286-8010 in the United States or (617) 801-6888 elsewhere and enter the passcode 61044776.

More at www.stryker.com.

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