Eversana acquires pharmaphorum owner Healthware Group

Eversana has acquired pharmaphorum parent Healthware Group in a move that elevates the longstanding partnership between the companies, expands their geographic reach, and furthers their ambition to “reinvent” how the biopharma industry commercialises its products.

The takeover will see Salerno, Italy-headquartered Healthware integrate with Eversana Intouch to create a “full-service global, award-winning agency network,” said the companies in a joint statement.

Eversana Intouch is the US group’s global agency network, acquired in 2021 when it bought Intouch, and offers a range of services from pre-launch planning to measuring real-world value for patients.

Adding Healthware and its 150-strong workforce in Italy, Finland, and the UK expands Eversana’s reach in Europe, as well as capabilities such as the application of artificial intelligence to marketing to help pharma, medical device, and emerging biotechs launch products, expand market access, and solve geographic and market-specific challenges.

“Today’s announcement is the next remarkable step in our journey to reinvent commercialisation by effectively integrating what we believe to be the best service providers around the world,” said Jim Lang, chief executive of Chicago-headquartered Eversana.

“Gone are the days of siloed, ineffective operations or regional strategies,” he added. “Our clients need global strategy and integrated commercial services, balanced with the right in-market expertise. And now, with an even stronger global agency powerhouse connected to Eversana’s full commercial ecosystem, we are advancing our commitment to provide clients with unmatched support for brands worldwide.”

Founded by Roberto Ascione, Healthware has provided marketing, advisory, customer engagement and media services, medical communications and education, and advanced technology capabilities for over 25 years.

As part of the acquisition, Healthware’s flagship global events, media, and publishing divisions, will be owned and operated by Eversana. That includes the annual Frontiers Health conference – due to take place this year between 8th-10th November in Rome – as well as pharmaphorum, acquired by Healthware in 2020, which provides pharma industry and healthcare news, insight, and debate.

“With this merger, we will become a formidable force in the market, providing services well beyond a traditional agency network, which is why this merger was so compelling to us,” said Ascione, who has joined Eversana’s global leadership team.

“We look forward to serving both new and existing clients with an expanded set of commercialisation services and to continue to lead the transformation of the life sciences industry and beyond.”

Financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.