UK private equity firm NorthEdge has agreed the sale of global healthcare business, Helios Global Group (Helios), to Telemos Capital (Telemos), a European mid-market private equity firm, following a period of significant growth.
Helios, the Cheshire-headquartered full-service healthcare communications group, works with world-leading pharmaceutical and biotech clients to deliver high-quality, high-impact services for its clients – including strategic consultancy; medical and scientific communications; and commercialisation solutions, alongside HEOR and market access services.
According to a press statement, since 2021, Helios has tripled its revenues, more than tripled its headcount, from 80 to almost 300, and expanded its global operations across the UK and US – all whilst maintaining market-leading EBITDA margins, high quality service delivery and strong employee engagement.
During its time as an investor, NorthEdge supported the Helios in establishing a material presence in the US, significantly increasing the addressable market; expanding into new therapeutic areas and clients; further developing its leading employee value proposition, which facilitated significant headcount growth and over 90% colleague retention; and upgrading the technology stack, to enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.
In addition, earlier this year Helios acquired Cogentia, a health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and market access consultancy, to further expand its specialist services and increase global scale.
Telemos will now support the Helios in several growth initiatives including expanding into new service lines, harnessing innovative technologies, and continuing to scale the internal infrastructure to support its client base.
The exit, the tenth for NorthEdge Fund II, following the exit of Cutwel to Inflexion in August, was led by Phil Frame, Partner at NorthEdge, alongside Andrew Minnock, CEO, and the senior management team at Helios.
NorthEdge and Helios were advised by Baird (Corporate Finance) and Squire Patton Boggs (Legal).
Completion is expected
