Informa to sell Life Sciences Media Brands portfolio for over $100m

Exhibitions, events and business intelligence group Informa has announced the sale of its Life Sciences Media Brands portfolio, previously part of UBM, to US-based healthcare, education and market research company MJH Associates for just over $100m.

The transaction forms part of Informa's PPM programme launched following the combination with UBM, which is aimed at increasing the focus on businesses and brands with strong market positions in core verticals, where the enlarged Informa portfolio is committed to future growth and scale.

The transaction does not include the CBI events business, which has been combined with the branded Life Sciences business within the Knowledge & Networking division of Informa.

The businesses being acquired by MJH are a portfolio of Life Science Media brands that were previously reported within Other Marketing Services by UBM. These brands generate revenue largely through a mix of advertising and sponsorship, and cover three core vertical markets: healthcare, pharma and animal health.

At 0807 GMT, the shares were up 0.7% to 681.00p.

Shore Capital said: "We are encouraged by this morning’s announcement which provides further evidence that Informa is progressing the integration of UBM (under its Accelerated Integration Plan) in an orderly, disciplined and timely fashion.

"The group’s last trading update (Nov 18) flagged that the initial phase of this project had already been completed. Whilst noting the importance of the last two months of the year and continuing macro uncertainties, this update also reiterated confidence in achieving full year expectations citing the group’s "good forward visibility" and increased international breadth as helpful factors."