In a transaction valued at more than $17.6 billion, IMS Health Holdings, Inc. and Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. have entered a definitive merger agreement under which the combined companies will be named Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. Upon completion of the merger, IMS Health shareholders will own approximately 51.4% of the shares of the combined company and Quintiles shareholders will own approximately 48.6%.
 
The combined entity aims to improve clinical trial design, recruitment and execution by combining IMS Health’s global information solutions with Quintiles’ product development experience.
 
The company plans to create a distinctive global Real-World Evidence solutions platform by combining a portfolio of anonymous patient records, technology-enabled data collection and observational research experts to address healthcare issues of cost, value and patient outcomes. 
 
Quintiles chief executive officer, Tom Pike, said, “This combination addresses life-science companies’ most pressing needs: to transform the clinical development of innovative medicines, demonstrate the value of these medicines in the real world, and drive commercial success. We are bringing together two best-in-class leaders. I’m confident that together we will make our clients even more successful.”
 
Ari Bousbib, chairman and chief executive officer of IMS Health, said, “Together our solutions will enable differentiation in the CRO market, advance Real-World Evidence capabilities, and deliver comprehensive commercial solutions for our clients. This powerful combination brings together leading technology and analytics with deep scientific expertise delivered on a global scale by our 50,000 immensely talented professionals in more than 100 markets. Our combined business will accelerate growth, yield greater operating efficiencies and provide more flexibility for future expansion.”
 
The combined company expects to maintain dual headquarters in Danbury, CT and Research Triangle Park, NC. Ari Bousbib, chairman and chief executive officer of IMS Health, will become chairman and chief executive officer of the merged organization. Tom Pike, chief executive officer of Quintiles, will become vice chairman. The company’s board of directors will be comprised of six directors appointed by Quintiles and six directors appointed by IMS Health. The lead director will be Dennis Gillings, CBE, Ph.D.