Oct 8 (Reuters) - Boston Scientific Corp said it hasagreed to pay $90 million to buy privately held Rhythmia MedicalInc to gain access to its three dimensional navigation system toassist doctors in performing complex heart procedures onpatients with dangerously irregular heart rhythms.
The Rhythmia Medical next generation mapping and navigationsystem, which is awaiting U.S. approval, would be used incatheter ablations and other electrophysiology procedures onpatients suffering from atrial fibrillation and other heartrhythm disorders, Boston Scientific said.
"Electrophysiology is a $2.5 billion market and growing at adouble-digit pace, representing a key growth opportunity forus," Boston Scientific Chief Executive Hank Kucheman said in astatement.
In addition to the $90 million payment upon expected closingof the deal later this week, Rhythmia would be entitled to up toan additional $175 million in potential milestone paymentsthrough 2017, Boston Scientific said.
The company expects the net impact of the transaction on itsadjusted earnings per share to be immaterial for 2013 and 2014and to be break-even or add to earnings after that.
The Rhythmia deal announced on Monday marks the secondacquisition for Boston Scientific in less than three weeks. Lastmonth the company acquired privately-held BridgePoint MedicalInc, which makes a catheter-based systems to treat blockedarteries.
(Reporting by Bill Berkrot; editing by Carol Bishopric)
((bill.berkrot@thomsonreuters.com)(1 646 223 6030))
Keywords: BOSTONSCIENTIFIC ACQUISITION/