IMS Health announced Thursday that it agreed to be acquired by investment funds TPG Capital and CPP Investment Board in a deal valued at $5.2 billion. IMS CEO David Carlucci said the sale of the company, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2010, would allow it to “continue [its] focus on expanding into new markets” and assume “a bigger role in the healthcare market.”

The company said the deal, under which shareholders will receive $22.00 per share, represents a premium of around 50 percent over the closing price on October 16, when speculation surfaced that the company may be put up for sale. The healthcare data company noted in a statement that the offer price includes the assumption of debt, which IMS reported last month stood at $1.34 billion as of September 30.

Charles Bobrinskoy, vice chairman at Ariel Investments, which is IMS’ largest shareholder, said the investment fund “would strongly support a transaction at the price being discussed.”

Reference Articles

IMS Health to be bought for $4 billion - (ABC News)

IMS Health said to sell itself to TPG for about $4 billion - (Bloomberg)

TPG, Canada Pension near $4 bln IMS buyout -source - (Forbes)

IMS Health to be acquired by TPG and CPP Investment Board - (IMS Health)

IMS Health agrees to $5 billion buyout from TPG - (MarketWatch)

CPP eyes $4-billion LBO deal - (The Globe and Mail)

IMS Health nears LBO deal (free preview) - (The Wall Street Journal)