J. Knipper and Company, Inc., developing and delivering smart, effective and efficient commercial solutions to the healthcare community, announced today that it has acquired competitor Pharmagistics from Publicis Touchpoint Solutions. The acquisition creates one of the largest healthcare marketing distribution firms in the United States, servicing more than 100 clients and 200 brands. Details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Jim Knipper, President and CEO of J. Knipper and Company, Inc., stated that “healthcare marketing includes a growing range of direct marketing fulfillment services including pharmaceutical product sampling as well as sample accountability. Pharmagistics brings a solid set of capabilities and a track record of accomplishments, as well as an experienced and highly committed employee base. Pharmagistics’ centralized marketing fulfillment services and sample accountability have become ever more critical in this industry for the purposes of providing our clients with the ability to track aggregate spending and generate actionable reporting data. Overall, we believe the acquisition positions us well within the direction that healthcare marketing and pharmaceutical sampling is moving.”

Mr. Knipper continued, “In addition to our comprehensive breadth of services, J. Knipper offers best-in-class facilities and warehouse systems, a leading sample accountability group, in-house data management expertise and one of the industry’s top management teams. We believe our integration plan, combining strengths in sample accountability and the companies’ extensive distribution channels to sales representatives and to physicians, will have a compelling and sustained impact on our industry.”

Michael J. Laferrera, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at J. Knipper and Company, Inc., commented, “The acquisition of Pharmagistics will give us expanded scope and bandwidth to compete in all major areas of healthcare marketing distribution and pharmaceutical sampling. This news follows our recent announcement last month of a strategic alliance with SDI Health whereby Knipper assumed all of their direct mail and fulfillment division. As we enter our 25th year in business, we are pleased with the recent successes in our drive to expand and increase our visibility within the industry.”

Situated in Somerset, N.J., Pharmagistics’ 80,000 square foot facility is in a key location close to transportation hubs. Following the consummation of the acquisition, J. Knipper and Company will continue to operate out of this facility, bringing Knipper’s total foot-print in New Jersey to 350,000 square feet.

About J. Knipper and Company, Inc.

Founded in 1986, J. Knipper and Company, Inc., provides healthcare marketing solutions in direct marketing, sampling, compliance, information technology, and salesforce productivity. Going beyond its roots in direct marketing fulfillment and sample distribution, J. Knipper and Company continues to offer innovative solutions to salesforce challenges, including MyPharmaRep.com® (online solution for vacant-territory coverage) and MySampleCloset.com® (online sample ordering). The Company has invested considerably in its physical and data infrastructure over the years. Prior to the acquisition of Pharmagistics, J. Knipper and Company had 270,000 square feet of space, with 12,000 of that for refrigerated and 7,500 for controlled substances, along with an advanced Data Center, fully protected for the secure and safe handling of database management and sample supplies. J. Knipper and Company is one of a handful of companies approved as an AMA DBL (database licensee).

About Edgemont Capital Partners

Edgemont Capital Partners, a leading healthcare investment banking firm, acted as exclusive financial advisor to J. Knipper & Company.

CONTACT:

At Edgemont Capital Partners

Jeff B. Swearingen, Managing Director
Phone: 212-867-8935 Fax: 212-937-3816