Informa bids to buy UBM - big news for the pharma conference sector

By Gareth Macdonald

- Last updated on GMT

Getty images/jax10289
Getty images/jax10289

Related tags Pharmacology

Informa is in talks to buy conference organiser UBM Plc, whose portfolio includes a number of pharmaceutical industry events.

The proposed deal – which was outlined in a filing​ yesterday – will see Informa pay around £3.8bn ($5.2bn) for UBM.

UBM and Informa confirmed the plan in a joint statement

They wrote, "The proposed combination would be implemented through a share and cash offer by Informa for the entire share capital of UBM," ​adding that the proposed combination is expected to result in significant synergies.

The firms added "The combined group would continue to be headquartered in London, although the international nature and complementary geographic fit of the businesses will mean it will also have major operational centres around the world​.” 

An Informa representative told us "The current status is that proposed financial terms have been announced, and that discussions remain ongoing around other terms and conditions. So at this stage, the combination of Informa and UBM is still a proposed one only​." 

She declined to comment further.

UBM's events portfolio includes the CPhI series and Pharmapack. Informa runs the Partnerships in Clinical trials events and others.

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