Fishawack announces Phocus acquisition

Fishawack is expanding its global presence with the acquisition of Phocus Services, an international communications company with its base in Switzerland.

The company is to become the third acquisition made by the UK-based Fishawack in the last 18 months and will allow the firm to expand its operations in both Europe and the US.

Under the terms of the agreement, which was financed by the UK's YFM Private Equity, Phocus will continue to trade under the Phocus Communications name, while founder Diana Barkley will remain as president.

The purchase will mean that Fishawack agencies are represented on the preferred supplier lists of 12 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Gail Flockhart, managing director of Fishawack Communications, said: "Phocus will add to the Fishawack group's strength and depth in market access communications, a discipline that our clients increasingly expect."

Earlier this month, it was announced that three members of Fishawack's staff will be sharing their expertise as members of committees of the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals.