Beckman Coulter Acquired By Danaher For $83.50/share (BEC, DHR)

Beckman Coulter, Inc. BEC, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of products that simplify, automate and innovate complex biomedical testing, and Danaher DHR, a diversified technology leader that designs, manufactures, and markets innovative products and services to professional, medical, industrial, and commercial customers, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Danaher will acquire all of Beckman Coulter's outstanding common stock for $83.50 per share in cash (without interest), representing an approximate 45% premium over the closing price of Beckman Coulter's common stock on December 9, 2010 before rumors of an acquisition entered the marketplace. The transaction is valued at approximately $6.8 billion, including debt assumed and net of cash acquired.