Cardinal Health will buy medical technology company Viasys Healthcare. The deal, under which Cardinal Health is expected to pay cash for Viasys' outstanding shares, is valued at $1.5 billion.

"With a strong platform and excellent momentum in our clinical and medical products businesses, we think the timing is ideal to broaden our offering," said R. Kerry Clark, Cardinal's chief executive officer. "Our recent acquisitions -- particularly Alaris--serve as a model for the rapid integration and realization of synergies with the Viasys acquisition."

A leader in respiratory systems for diagnosis and critical care, VIASYS had $610 million in revenue last year. The Pennsylvania-based company also makes neurological, audio and vascular products used in surgical procedures.

The acquisition is expected to expand Cardinal Health's clinical and medical product offering for global, acute-care customers. VIASYS has more than 7,000 hospital customers in 100 countries and generates 40 percent of its revenue from customers outside the U.S.

Cardinal Health is an $80 billion healthcare company and one of the largest distributors of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the world. Cardinal Health made the Viasys announcement May 14, 2007.

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