Quintiles CEO Tom Pike has said in the past that the world’s largest life science services company would keep making acquisitions after going public a year ago.

True to his word, Pike is growing Quintiles (NYSE: Q) again in a deal for Houston-based Encore Health Resources. Last October, Quintiles also acquired Triangle-based Novella. 

How does this latest deal boost the big “Q”? In a variety of ways with additional skills and capabilities, Quintiles says. But don’t expect any jobs to be moved to North Carolina. 

In a Q&A with WRAL TechWire, senior director corporate communications Phil Bridges talks about the deal.

  • What were the imperatives/opportunities that drove this acquisition?  

The acquisition of Encore aligns with Quintiles’ provider strategy, adding significant expertise and capabilities in health-information analytics and technology consulting, clinical data, and related solutions and services.

The acquisition will help extend Quintiles’ services suite and allow the company to work with Encore to strengthen its provider-focused solutions.

The addition of Encore’s capabilities and experience will enhance Quintiles’ expertise and provide an even stronger connection to this group.

  • How will these additional capabilities be expected to help Quintiles acquire additional business going forward?

Encore possesses a knowledgeable team of consultants with years of experience in strategy and clinical advisory services, implementation of all major EHR platforms as well as analytics and value-based performance improvement. This experience is underpinned by proven tools and methodologies tailored specifically to the healthcare industry.

While Quintiles has Consulting and Payer and Provider Solutions groups, Encore’s provider-focused consulting services complement and do not overlap with Quintiles’ existing capabilities. A shared commitment to quality, customer service, and above all, improving the future of healthcare through data-driven innovation, makes this acquisition a strong fit for both organizations. Encore’s experience, expertise, strong customer relationships, high caliber talent, and data-driven solutions make this transaction attractive to Quintiles.

Encore’s primary business is focused on implementation and advisory services around electronic health records (EHR). The addition of these capabilities will enhance Quintiles’ EHR expertise, which is becoming increasingly important as biopharmaceutical customers, payers and providers focus on measuring outcomes based on real-world performance in terms of clinical effectiveness and value.

Encore’s strong relationships with many large U.S. provider networks and academic medical centers, as well as its experienced consultants, proven tools and methodologies will make it a strong addition to Quintiles.

By joining Quintiles, Encore will be able to accelerate its vision of enhancing clinical outcomes through information-driven performance improvement. Additionally, Encore can utilize the expertise of Quintiles’ 950 medical doctors, 900 Ph.D.s, as well as its nurse educators and world-class biostatisticians to help hospitals and providers solve their most pressing population health challenges.

  • Were any other companies interested in acquiring Encore?

Quintiles cannot address the actions or plans of other organizations.

  • Will Encore management stay in place?

Quintiles recognizes that Encore’s people are an integral part of its overall value. In fact, the experience, expertise, and quality of the people at Encore are major reasons Quintiles is interested in acquiring the company.

As we move forward, we will continue to determine how we can best work together, leverage synergies that bring value to both parties, and ensure we capitalize on what has made both companies successful to this point.

  • Have you worked with Encore in the past and if so in what way(s)?

We have not worked with Encore directly in the past, however, we have looked at potential ways of working together for a significant amount of time.

  • Might any jobs be moved to North Carolina?

As we work through the integration process upon closing, we will continue to determine how we can best work together moving forward, but do not anticipate relocating jobs at this time.

Upon closing, Encore employees will become part of Quintiles’ Integrated Healthcare Services segment.

[QUINTILES ARCHIVE: Check out more than a decade of Quintiles stories as reported in WRAL TechWire.]