Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, today has signed a merger agreement to acquire NxStage Medical, Inc., a U.S.-based medical technology and services company. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Fresenius Medical Care North America has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of NxStage Medical for $30.00 per common share in cash. The planned acquisition has a total transaction volume of approximately $2bn.