IMS Health to Buy Units from Cegedim

In the US, pharm data giant IMS Health has announced its intention to acquire information solutions and CRM businesses from Cegedim, for around EUR 385m ($520m) in cash.

The buy would give IMS solutions helping life sciences clients in 80 countries optimise their sales strategy; the OneKey Reference Database of 13.7m healthcare professionals worldwide; and more than 4,500 new staff. The businesses in question generated revenue of EUR 424m in 2013 and reported adjusted EBITDA of EUR 64m.

IMS Chairman and CEO Ari Bousbib comments: 'Cegedim's complementary offerings will accelerate the build-out of our strategic roadmap in information and technology services. The global combination of product, technology, infrastructure and people capabilities will bring compelling, integrated solutions to our clients and allow for greater operational efficiency.'

The buy is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in early 2015.