UDG Healthcare to acquire Galliard and Nyxeon

UDG Healthcare has announced the acquisition of the specialist healthcare and scientific PR agencies Galliard and Nyxeon in a deal worth 13 million pounds.

The companies are being acquired for 6.5 million pounds in net cash on completion, with an additional 6.5 million pounds payable based on the achievement of agreed profit targets over the next three years.

Galliard and Nyxeon are both headquartered in London and employ 33 people, who provide a variety of comms services to global pharmaceutical companies, healthcare-related organisations and charities.

The acquisition will further bolster the capabilities of UDG Healthcare's market-leading global Ashfield Healthcare Communications business.

Liam FitzGerald, chief executive of UDG Healthcare, said: "This purchase is fully aligned with our global growth strategy of extending the range of services we offer in high value multichannel healthcare communications."

Formerly known as United Drug, UDG Healthcare adopted its current brand name as part of a new corporate strategy last year. The purchase of Galliard and Nyxeon follows the successful recent acquisitions of InforMed, Watermeadow and KnowledgePoint360.