IMS Health Buys Privacy Analytics To Drive R&D, Commercial Performance

IMS Health Holdings Inc IMS disclosed Wednesday that it purchased Privacy Analytics Incorporated, a leader in technology solutions for de-identifying and anonymizing healthcare information. The company believes that it would extend its robust Real-World Evidence (RWE) capabilities. However, the company did not disclosed the terms and conditions of the transaction.

IMS Health said the acquisition advanced its capability to help life science clients drive R&D, as well as, commercial performance apart from demonstrating treatment value in real-world settings. It is in line with its long-standing practices for safeguarding patient privacy while reinforcing its role as a partner of choice for health systems, payers, providers and researchers.

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The company's vice president and general manager, Jon Resnick, said, "This acquisition strengthens our role as a leading patient privacy and data protection advocate while increasing the value clients across healthcare can realize from real-world evidence. Applying this proven standard globally, we can unleash the full potential of end-to-end RWE insights, from clinical trials through commercial execution. Privacy Analytics extends our ability to connect healthcare stakeholders — ultimately helping to improve the health of patients and the care delivery systems serving them."

IMS Health said Canada-based Privacy Analytics provided an innovative suite of data governance software, as well as, advisory services enabling stakeholders to maximize gains of the growing volume and availability of new, complex datasets while protecting patient privacy.

Privacy Analytics CEO Khaled El Emam also reacted, stating, "Our team of healthcare data privacy experts has pioneered the methodologies, software and services that enable responsible use of complex health information. We are excited to join IMS Health, which offers us a global platform and leading-edge technologies that bring our privacy compliance innovations to a broader client base across life sciences and healthcare."

The stock was trading down Wednesday, down 0.2 percent at time of writing.