Market Probe Buys Maritz Pharma Arm

US-based full service agency Market Probe has acquired the Pharmaceutical Research Group of rival Maritz, in a bid to expand its own healthcare business. Terms were not disclosed.

Market Probe, which already supplies satisfaction and loyalty research to health insurance and prescription management services clients, says that the deal will help it to expand into the traditional pharmaceutical and diagnostic equipment manufacturing sectors.

Maritz has made the sale as part of its strategy to focus on other core areas of business. All seven employees have now joined Market Probe, and President and CEO Dr T.R. Rao told DRNO that his firm plans to recruit further staff to grow the area.

'With this acquisition, healthcare will become a major practice area in the US,' explained Rao. 'Being a global company with a presence on all continents, we are in a better situation to service the needs of global firms in this sector.'

Milwaukee-based Market Probe has additional offices throughout the US and in Canada, Belgium, France, the UK, the UAE, Bahrain, India, Singapore and China.

Back in 2006, the firm acquired pharmaceutical market research firm Rowin Group; a specialist in producing research to support the development and marketing of new sector products.

Web site: www.marketprobe.com .