Group Press Releases
Aegis Acquires Healthcare Market Research Company
07 October 2003
Aegis Group plc (“Aegis”) - the media communications and market research group - announces today that it has agreed to acquire ISIS Research Limited (ISIS), an international healthcare research business. ISIS will become a key part of Synovate Healthcare, the Group’s healthcare research division.
The initial consideration of approximately £15.5m comprises £9.7m of cash and £5.8m in Aegis Ordinary shares (the “Consideration Shares”). There is also deferred consideration of up to £8.3m (subject to certain conditions) of which approximately £2.9m may be in shares and the remainder in cash payable over 2 years. ISIS had revenues of £20.5m for the year ended 31 March 2003 and the cash acquired with the business is approximately £1.7m. The acquisition will complete subject to the admission to the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange of the Consideration Shares. Accordingly, application has been made to the UKLA for the Consideration Shares to be admitted to the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for the Consideration Shares to be admitted to trading. It is expected that Admission will become effective, and that dealings in the Consideration Shares will commence, on 8 October 2003.
ISIS provides some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies with syndicated and custom healthcare research including cancer care audits in 5 key European markets and in Japan. The acquisition of ISIS complements Synovate’s existing US cancer care audit business and broadens the range of syndicated audits to include HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, Hepatitis B and Diabetes.
ISIS also has a range of custom research products that, among other things, help marketers define the positioning and image of drug brands and the effectiveness of advertising and other forms of communication.
Commenting on the announcement, Doug Flynn, Chief Executive of Aegis said:
“ISIS is a great fit and provides a number of excellent research products that will be rolled-out throughout Synovate Healthcare’s global network. In particular, there is a strong and growing demand from the major pharmaceutical companies to monitor how medical professionals utilise drugs in cancer care and one of the first benefits that our clients will see from this acquisition will be the industry’s first ever global cancer care audit.”
For further information contact:
Richard Walters
Aegis Group plc
+44 (0) 20 7070 7700
Charles Palmer
Financial Dynamics
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113
Notes to Editors
About Aegis Group plc.
Aegis Group plc is the holding company for Carat, its media strategy, planning and buying business and Synovate, its market research business. These two operating groups provide clients with a range of services across, media communication services, marketing consultancy and market research. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Aegis is capitalised at around £1.3 billion and operates in 64 countries. More information is available at www.aegisplc.com.
About Synovate
Synovate generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions. The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive suite of leading research products.
About ISIS
ISIS Research plc was established in 1973 in the UK and has subsequently grown into an international healthcare research company with subsidiaries and branches in the US, Japan, Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and the Philippines. The company provides research services to many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
