International Business Machine (NYSE:IBM) said today that it agreed to acquire Truven Health Analytics for $2.6 billion, marking IBM’s 4th major health-related acquisition since launching Watson Health in April 2015.
Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Truven provides could-based healthcare data and analytics solutions to federal and state government agencies, employers, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.
IBM, whose healthcare unit is powered by the famous Watson supercomputer, will get access to more than 8,500 clients from the deal.
“With this acquisition, IBM will be 1 of the world’s leading health data, analytics and insights companies, and the only 1 that can deliver the unique cognitive capabilities of the Watson platform,” Watson Health general manager Deborah DiSanzo said in prepared remarks. “Truven’s impressive team, extensive client roster, and expansive data sets complement Watson Health’s broad-based team, capabilities and offerings. Together, we’re well positioned to scale globally and to build first-in-class offerings designed to help our clients apply cognitive insights in a value-based care environment.”
“The Truven Health Analytics team is eager to combine our capabilities and expertise with the Watson Health portfolio,” added Truven president & CEO Mike Boswood. “This will help catapult the industry forward to transform healthcare and to save and improve lives.”
Lat October IBM closed the $1 billion acquisition of Merge Healthcare, which provides medical imaging and clinical systems. In March 2015, rumors surfaced that Truven was preparing for an initial public offering it hoped would value the company at more than $3 billion.
Material from Reuters was used in this report.
