Medtronic Inc has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Covidien plc in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $93.22 per Covidien share, or a total of approximately $42.9 billion, according to a joint press release.

After the completion of the transaction, the businesses of Medtronic and Covidien will be combined under a new entity to be called Medtronic plc. It will have its principal executive offices in Ireland and its operational headquarters in Minneapolis, where Medtronic currently employs more than 8,000 people.

Medtronic expects the move to “significantly advance” its position as the world’s premier medical technology and services company with 87,000 employees in more than 150 countries. The company says the acquisition will supports and accelerates 3 of its fundamental strategies: therapy innovation, globalization, and economic value.

“We are excited to reach this agreement with Covidien, which further advances our mission to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life for patients around the world,” said Omar Ishrak, Chairman and CEO of Medtronic. “This acquisition will allow Medtronic to reach more patients, in more ways and in more places. Our expertise and portfolio of services will allow us to serve our customers more efficiently and better address the demands of the current healthcare marketplace. We also look forward to welcoming the Covidien team to Medtronic and working together to improve healthcare outcomes globally.”

Upon completion of the transaction, each outstanding ordinary share of Covidien will be converted into the right to receive $35.19 in cash and 0.956 of an ordinary share of Medtronic plc. The per-share consideration represents a premium of 29% to Covidien’s closing stock price on June 13, 2014, the last trading day prior to the announcement. Medtronic shareholders will exchange each share of stock they own in Medtronic for one ordinary share of stock in Medtronic plc. The transaction is expected to be taxable, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to shareholders of both Medtronic and Covidien.

The consummation of the transaction is subject to certain conditions, including approvals by Medtronic and Covidien shareholders. In addition, the proposed transaction requires regulatory clearances in the U.S., the E.U., China and certain other countries. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth calendar quarter of 2014 or early 2015.