Alliance Boots increases investment in Sonova

Alliance Boots has increased its investment in UK hearing care services by expanding its partnership with Sonova Holding.

The consumer healthcare firm has made a 49 percent minority investment in David Ormerod Hearing Centres (DOHC), the Sonova subsidiary that has operated Boots hearing care practices across the UK since 2003.

With this latest move, Alliance Boots has made a long-term commitment to extending this collaboration, with the aim of making cutting-edge hearing care technologies available to more patients.

Currently, the company has more than 340 hearing care practices within Boots stores and Boots Opticians across the UK.

Alex Gourlay, chief executive for the health and beauty division at Alliance Boots, said: "This agreement further builds on our investment in the UK, as well as our commitment to help improve health in the local communities we serve."

Last month, the company completed its acquisition of a 100 percent ownership stake in Andreae-Noris Zahn AG, one of the largest pharmaceutical wholesalers in Germany.