On Feb. 7, 2011, Danaher Corp. announced a merger agreement with Beckman Coulter whereby Danaher acquired Beckman by making a cash tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Beckman at a purchase price of $83.50 per share, for a total value of $6.8 billion, including debt assumed and net of cash acquired.

The deal was a 45% premium over Beckmans closing price on Dec. 9, when market speculation began regarding the sale of the company. Upon closing Beckman Coulter, became part of Danahers life sciences & diagnostics segment.

With annual revenues of approximately $3.7 billion, Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing. Its diagnostic systems are found in hospitals and other clinical settings around the world and produce information used by physicians to diagnose disease, make treatment decisions and monitor patients.

Scientists use its life science research instruments to study complex biological problems including causes of disease and potential new therapies or drugs.

Beckman Coulter became part of Danaher’s Life Sciences & Diagnostics segment, joining Danaher’s Leica, AB Sciex, Radiometer and Molecular Devices businesses.