Pharma BD Deal Intelligence
The Quintiles-IMS "merger of equals" became IQVIA, the dominant life-sciences data/CRO player — revenue roughly doubled and the combined entity is the clear industry leader, though 2026 margin skepticism has crept in.
Full analysis, sources & comparables →Ranks computed across 828 graded deals (Critic + Outcome Score both present).
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Quintiles and IMS Health agreed to an all-stock merger of equals to create a leading global integrated information and technology-enabled healthcare services provider. Combined enterprise value ~$17.6B (combined market cap ~$23B); IMS shareholders received 51.4% of combined company, Quintiles shareholders 48.6%. Closed October 3, 2016 as Quintiles IMS; rebranded IQVIA in November 2017.
The Quintiles-IMS "merger of equals" became IQVIA, the dominant life-sciences data/CRO player — revenue roughly doubled and the combined entity is the clear industry leader, though 2026 margin skepticism has crept in.
Assessment window: 5yr post-close.
| Deal | Year | Value | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. / IMS Health Holdings, Inc. (this deal) | 2016 | $17.6B | 91 |
| Watson Pharmaceuticals (Actavis Inc.) / Actavis plc | 2012 | $5.9B | 97 |
| Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. / PRA International (Genstar Capital) | 2013 | $1.3B | 91 |
| Stryker Corporation / MAKO Surgical Corp. | 2013 | $1.6B | 91 |
| DPx Holdings B.V. (JLL Partners 51% / Royal DSM 49%) / Patheon Inc. + DSM Pharmaceutical Products | 2013 | $2.6B | 90 |
| Pamplona Capital Management, LLP / PAREXEL International Corporation | 2017 | $5.0B | 90 |
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. / Patheon N.V. | 2017 | $7.2B | 89 |
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