Hologic, Inc., which focuses on medical imaging systems and surgical products for women's health, just expanded its women's health portfolio with the acquisition of Toronto-based Sentinelle Medical, Inc., as announced Tuesday.

Sentinelle Medical will bring magnetic resonance imaging breast coils, tables and visualization software to Hologic as a result of the $85 million purchase. In fact, Sentinelle Medical has been a partner in the MRI biopsy device side of Hologic for years, Hologic spokesman Jim Culley told DOTmed News in an e-mail.

"The agreement to acquire Sentinelle Medical is a further example of our strategy to maintain a leadership position in women's healthcare," said Rob Cascella, Hologic president and CEO, in a statement e-mailed to DOTmed News. "[MR] is rapidly becoming a standard of care for breast cancer screening of women indicated as having a high risk of developing the disease."

The cash-installment transaction is expected to close during the third calendar quarter, according to Hologic, and is subject to closing conditions, including Canadian judicial approval.

"This merger is a natural fit," said Cameron Piron, Sentinelle Medical's president and CEO, in a statement. "Our expertise in MR breast imaging combined with Hologic's resources should further accelerate the adoption of our technology and ultimately benefit physicians and improve patient care."

The merger is expected to expedite new advances in breast imaging, according to Hologic.

Bedford, Mass.-based Hologic remained at closing price of $13.58 during recent after-hours trading, on an after-hours volume of 462,389 shares on NASDAQ.

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