Johnson & Johnson Buying Mentor for $1.07B

The Associated Press

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Health care products company Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) said Monday it will buy cosmetic-product and breast-implant maker Mentor (MNT) for $1.07 billion in a move to boost its presence in cosmetic and reconstructive medicine.

Under the deal, J&J will start a cash tender offer for $31 per share in a move to add breast implants and other products to its Ethicon surgical products unit. The offer is nearly double Mentor's closing price of $16.15 on Friday.

Mentor shares are up $13.85, or 85.8%, to $30 in premarket trading.

"The addition of Mentor, a market-leader and one of the most respected companies in the aesthetic space, expands our capacity to provide physicians with products that can restore patients' appearance, self-esteem and quality of life," said Alex Gorsky, company group chairman at J&J with responsibility for the Ethicon unit.

The deal is expected to shave between 3 and 5 cents per share off of J&J's 2009 earnings. Both companies' boards of directors have approved the deal, which is expected to close during the first quarter.

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