FT: Dentsply in Talks to Buy Astra Tech
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, JUNE 21, 2011
The Financial Times broke rumors yesterday evening that Dentsply was is exclusive negotiations to acquire Astra Tech. The deal is reportedly valued at about $1.8 billion.
Details of the auction have never been disclosed, but at various points during the process, Nobel, Straumann, Zimmer, Biomet as well as a host of European private equity firms were seen as contenders for the company, which sells dental implants as well as urology products. Dentsply is said to be acquiring the entire business, even though their existing portfolio is focused on dentistry. Astra Tech booked $535 million in revenues in 2010.
The FT said an announcement could come this week.
