Pharmaceutical Market Europe • September 2020 • 45
HEALTHCARE COMMS
Porterhouse Medical Group joins imc group
The agency will be a key addition to imc’s growing network of international offices
Global healthcare communications and insights research agency Porterhouse Medical Group is joining imc group with the support of Waterland Private Equity.
Porterhouse offers strategic medical communications as well as publication planning and insights research. The agency will be a key addition to imc’s growing network of international offices and team, which already serve some of the largest drug companies in the world.
imc is a healthcare communications and consulting agency headquartered in London, with expertise across a broad range of therapy areas. Combining the Porterhouse and imc teams will strengthen their capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic.
“We’re excited to be building the future of strategic healthcare communications as we join forces with imc group, together extending our reach and service provision across North America and Europe,” said Jon Hallows, co-founder and joint MD at Porterhouse Medical Group.
“We’re confident that Porterhouse and imc together will continue to deliver innovative solutions for our clients during their most challenging period yet,” he added.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming Porterhouse to the imc family. Combined, we will have over 165 employees across four countries, offering seamless solutions for all our clients,” said Shairose Ebrahim, imc group co-founder, president and chief executive officer.
“Together we can build on the fantastic capabilities that imc and Porterhouse collectively have, I couldn’t be more thrilled,” she added.
Cello Health to be acquired by Arsenal Capital Partners
The deal values the company at around £178.8m
Healthcare consulting firm Cello Health is set to be acquired by Pharma Value Demonstration Bidco, a portfolio company of private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners.
Under the terms of the acquisition the Cello board of directors has agreed to a deal which values the company at around £178.8m.
Cello Health offers a number of services for pharmaceutical companies, including business insights, analytics and strategic consulting. The firm also has offices across the globe, including in the UK, US and Asia.
The cash offer was made by Bidco, a new company formed to make and implement the acquisition owned by Value Demonstration, which is backed by Arsenal Capital.
As part of the acquisition, Cello shareholders will be eligible to receive 161 pence in cash per share. The Cello deal follows Arsenal’s previous acquisition of health economic research consultancy BresMed Health solutions.
“Cello’s breadth of relevant capabilities, scientific credentials, strong client relationships and market reputation for excellence will significantly progress our ambition of becoming the global leader in the space,” said Jon Williams, chief executive of Value Demonstration.
“We are also excited at the prospect of complementing the capabilities of the Cello team with those from the recent acquisition of BresMed. This, we believe, will create a compelling and differentiated services platform, led by strong and seasoned management teams, that consists of strategic consultancy, market access, health economics research and communications,” he added.
“The Cello directors are confident that, as part of the Value Demonstration platform with Arsenal’s backing, Cello will be optimally positioned to accelerate its current strategy and capitalise on a broader range of opportunities,” said Mark Scott, chief executive at Cello Health.
“This transaction will ensure the continued success of the business for its employees and clients,” he added.