Boston Scientific CEO asks for tenure extension

Boston Scientific Corp., the Natick maker of cardiac stents, said today in a statement that chief executive Jim Tobin has agreed to a request from the company's board of directors to extend his tenure.

The statement did not contain details about how long Tobin's tenure would be extended or the financial terms of the agreement, but a company spokesman said Tobin plans to stay at Boston Scientific for "several more years." The spokesman said Tobin had given the board no indication of any plans to leave.

Last month, Boston Scientific made a surprise $25 billion offer to acquire Guidant Corp., a company that makes such devices as defibrillators and pacemakers. Rival Johnson & Johnson had made a previous bid to buy Guidant. If Boston Scientific is successful in its pursuit of Guidant, it could emerge as the world's largest maker of cardiovascular devices. (by Chris Reidy, Globe staff)