IMS Health shares leap on private equity takeover talk

The Wall Street Journal reported that the firm was in “advanced discussions” with potential suitors over a possible $3.5bn deal that could be finalised as early as next month.

Private equity houses being linked with the firm are TPG, Silver Lake and BC Partners, the report said, with the latter two forming a joint bid.

Neither IMS nor the private equity houses returned calls for comment today.

IMS Health came close to being bought by VNU (or what is now The Nielsen Company) in $7bn deal in 2005, but the deal began to fall apart when VNU shareholders blocked the move.

By the end of 2005, the deal had collapsed in the face of strong opposition from VNU shareholders and chairman and CEO Rob van den Bergh resigned from the company.