LONDON— Four Communications Group is acquiring independent healthcare communications consultancy Packer Forbes.

Packer Forbes provides a range of services including public relations, medical education, digital, patient advocacy and access communications to pharmaceutical clients including Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences and Novo Nordisk. Packer Forbes will rebrand as Four Health Communications and will be part of a new international healthcare grouping, Four Health, which also includes Four MSA, the specialist healthcare media planning and buying agency acquired in 2015.

The combined health offer will have some 35 staff and turnover of £17 million a year. Alexa Forbes remains as chief executive of Four Health Communications and will work closely with Emma Statham (managing director of Four MSA) to evolve and grow the business. 

According to Packer Forbes chief executive Alexa Forbes, “I am really excited by the challenge of establishing and evolving the integrated Four Health offering. Working alongside fellow experts from across the healthcare communications spectrum will be professionally stimulating for the whole team and I genuinely believe we will be able to offer a truly unique service for our clients.”

This acquisition is the fourth since Four successfully secured a £10 million equity investment from the BGF (Business Growth Fund).

Photo: Four Communications CEO Nan Williams.