May 27, 2010 - SonoSite Inc., a developer of bedside and point-of-care ultrasound, will acquire Visualsonics, a privately held company focused on high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology, for an aggregate value of $71 million net of cash and debt.
Visualsonics is the technology leader in real-time ultra high-frequency micro-ultrasound that presently serves the rapidly growing pre-clinical research market. Its micro-ultrasound technology uses five times the center frequency range currently used in conventional ultrasound systems (40MHz versus 8MHz) and enables the visualization of superficial anatomy on small living animals with microscopic detail. This aids in discerning features as small as 40 microns compared to conventional ultrasound, which visualize 200 microns.
Sonosite believes Visualsonics' technology has the potential to pave the way for a new era of extreme high-resolution ultrasound imaging of superficial anatomy in clinical medicine. SonoSite expects to benefit from Visualsonics' presence in the pre-clinical market. This market is estimated to exceed $350 million with a projected double-digit annualized growth rate.
The acquisition is conditioned upon approval by Visualsonics' shareholders as well as the satisfaction of other customary conditions. Approval by SonoSite's shareholders is not required. SonoSite expects the acquisition to close in the next 30 days and following closing, Visualsonics will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SonoSite.
For more information: www.sonosite.com