Cello Health PLC Disposal (4788O)

TIDMCLL

RNS Number : 4788O

Cello Health PLC

02 October 2019

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement, the inside information is now considered to be in the public domain for the purposes of MAR.

2 October 2019

Cello Health plc

('Cello' or the 'Group')

Sale of Pulsar Platform ('Pulsar')

Cello Health plc (AIM: CLL), the healthcare-focused advisory group, today announces the sale of Pulsar, the social media analytics software business, to Access Intelligence Plc ("Access Intelligence") for consideration of GBP4.5 million (the "Sale") payable in Access Intelligence shares. The disposal of Pulsar will allow the Group to focus its capital investment on its higher growth and higher margin healthcare business as well as supporting the development of the core Signal business.

Pulsar comprises Fenix Media Limited and Face US Inc ("Pulsar"), and the consideration shall be satisfied through the issue of 8,653,846 ordinary shares of 5 pence each (the "Consideration Shares") in the capital of Access Intelligence and a payment in cash of GBP1.

Access Intelligence

Access Intelligence (AIM: ACC) develops high quality SaaS products that address the fundamental business needs of the media, PR, marketing and communications industries. Its technology is used by more than 3,000 global organisations every day, from blue-chip enterprises and communications agencies to public sector organisations and not-for-profits. For the year ended 30 November 2018, Access Intelligence generated Adjusted EBITDA of GBP0.03 million and statutory losses before tax of GBP1.7 million from revenues of GBP8.9 million and, as at 31 May 2019, had net assets of GBP9.4 million.

Cello will continue to make use of Pulsar in partnership with Access Intelligence where there is mutual client opportunity. Unless in partnership with Cello, Access Intelligence shall not solicit Pulsar business from, or provide the Pulsar service to, certain Cello healthcare customers for a period of 24 months post completion. For the year ended 31 December 2018, Pulsar generated unadjusted losses before tax of GBP1.0 million from unaudited revenues of GBP7.0 million and, as at 30 June 2019, had gross assets of GBP3.2 million. The Group had GBP3.4 million of goodwill in its balance sheet in relation to Pulsar at 31 December 2018.

Vendor Placing

As announced by Access Intelligence today in relation to its proposed placing (the "Access Intelligence Placing"), Cello and Access Intelligence have agreed, pursuant to a placing agreement dated 2 October 2019, that 272,042 of the Consideration Shares ("Vendor Placing Shares") shall be issued directly to Access Intelligence placees to raise gross proceeds of approximately GBP0.14 million to satisfy Cello's funding obligation to Pulsar described below (the "Vendor Placing").

Consideration

Of the 8,653,846 Consideration Shares to be issued to Cello, 229,327 Consideration Shares shall be assigned to Francesco D'Orazio (the CEO of Pulsar) (the "Assignment"). The value of the consideration may be subject to adjustment following completion in accordance with the terms of the acquisition agreement with Access Intelligence, but any adjustment will be satisfied in cash and the number of Consideration Shares will not change. In the Vendor Placing referred to above, Cello has agreed that 272,042 of the Consideration Shares will be issued directly to Access Intelligence placees to raise funds to meet Cello's obligation to fund Pulsar's PAYE liability in respect of the value of the Consideration Shares received by Francesco D'Orazio.

Following completion of the Sale, Assignment and Vendor Placing, it is expected that Cello will hold 8,152,477 ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the capital of Access Intelligence, representing approximately 10.7 per cent. of Access Intelligence's enlarged share capital (excluding treasury shares). Cello has undertaken to retain the 8,152,477 Consideration Shares for 18 months following completion of the Sale, and to enter into an orderly market arrangement for a further 12 months thereafter.

Mark Scott, Chief Executive of Cello commented: "We are delighted that Pulsar can now begin the next stage in its development as a business whilst enabling Cello to focus on its core healthcare activities. We look forward to the ongoing partnership with Access Intelligence, both as a shareholder and as an ongoing user of Pulsar."

Enquiries:

 
 Cello Health plc 
 Mark Scott, Chief Executive               020 7812 8460 
 Mark Bentley, Group Finance Director 
 www.cellohealthplc.com 
 
 Cenkos Securities 
 Giles Balleny, Harry Hargreaves           020 7397 8900 
 
 Buchanan 
 Mark Court, Jamie Hooper, Sophie Wills    020 7466 5000 
 [e-mail] 
 

Notes to Editors

Cello Health plc is a global healthcare-focused advisory Group comprised of a set of leading clinical, commercial advisory and digital delivery capabilities. Cello Health plc currently services 24 of the top 25 pharmaceutical clients globally, as well as a wide range of biotech, diagnostics, devices and other key non-healthcare clients.

Cello Health plc enables clients to commercialise, differentiate their assets, and drive brand success in ever more complex global markets. The business delivers its services through nearly 1,000 highly skilled professionals, utilising latest thinking, technology and digital solutions.

Cello Health plc delivers its services from an office network in the UK, USA, and Asia, with hub offices in New York City, Philadelphia PA, London, Edinburgh, Farnham and Cheltenham.

For further information, please visit: https://cellohealthplc.com

About Access Intelligence

Access Intelligence PLC develops high quality SaaS products that address the fundamental business needs of the media, PR, marketing and communications industries. Listed on AIM, its technology is used by more than 3,000 global organisations every day, from blue-chip enterprises and communications agencies to public sector organisations and not-for-profits.

In a fast-changing world of communications, Access Intelligence is a first-mover, committed to constantly investing in new services, products and people to keep clients ahead of change. The Access Intelligence portfolio includes Vuelio, the platform that helps organisations make their story matter, and ResponseSource, the network that connects journalists and influencers to the PR and communications industry. Vuelio is a market leading communications platform that provides in one place media, political and social media insight, monitoring and analysis tools. ResponseSource is used by more than 30,000 journalists, influencers to access the resources they need, fast.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact [e-mail] or visit www.rns.com.

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October 02, 2019 03:40 ET (07:40 GMT)