Boston Scientific: An Acquiror Once More

In a period of less than three weeks between February 15 and March 5, Boston Scientific Corp. announced a series of four acquisitions of small device companies, all of which are developing different types of interventional/less invasive technology. Most recent is the acquisition of Catheter Innovations Inc. , which manufactures catheter-based venous access products designed to deliver chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics and nutritional support [See Deal]. This deal followed Boston's agreeing to buy Quanam Medical Corp. , a manufacturer of drug-delivery coronary stent systems, or so-called coated stents [See Deal]. And the Quanam deal was preceded by Boston's purchases of Interventional Technologies Inc. (IVT) and, one week later, Embolic Protection Inc. (EPI) [See Deal], [See Deal].

These deals all come at a time when Boston Scientific, itself, is rumored to be an acquisition target. The buyers...