Chicago, Illinois-based private equity firm Thoma Bravo will acquire the IT company Amicas Inc. for about $217 million.

Thoma Bravo’s managing partner Orlando Bravo and principal Seth Boro headed the transaction for the firm. The purchase of the Boston, Massachusetts-based IT company is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010. The firm, former known as Thoma Cressey Bravo, will pay shareholders $5.35 in cash per Amicas share.

In April, Amicas acquired hospital technology company Emageon Inc., a related transaction, for about $39 million. In July, Thoma Bravo purchased the software manufacturer Entrust Inc. for $124 million. In November, the firm exited its investment in Datatel, selling the higher education software provider to Hellman & Friedman LLC for $570 million.

In 1998, the PE firm GTCR split into two entities, creating the Chicago-based firm GTCR Golder Rauner and Thoma Cressey Equity Partners (which later became Thoma Cressey Bravo). When co-founder Bryan Cressey left in 2008 to launch his own healthcare-focused investment firm Cressey & Company LP, Thoma Cressey Bravo's name was changed to Thoma Bravo. In March, the firm closed its ninth fund with $822.5 million in committed capital.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. advised Amicas, and the Boston law firm Mintz Levin served as legal counsel to the IT company. Kirkland & Ellis serves as legal counsel to Thoma Bravo in the transaction.

In addition to Thoma Bravo’s Chicago headquarters, the private equity firm has an additional location in San Francisco, California. Calls placed to Thoma Bravo and AMICAS were not returned by press time.