RNS Number:6130Q
Aegis Group PLC
07 October 2003

7 October 2003                                        For Immediate Release



                                Aegis Group plc

               Aegis Acquires Healthcare Market Research Company


Aegis Group plc ("Aegis") - the media communications and market research group -
announces today that it has agreed to acquire ISIS Research Limited (ISIS), an
international healthcare research business. ISIS will become a key part of
Synovate Healthcare, the Group's healthcare research division.


The initial consideration of approximately #15.5m comprises #9.7m of cash and
#5.8m in Aegis Ordinary shares (the "Consideration Shares"). There is also
deferred consideration of up to #8.3m (subject to certain conditions) of which
approximately #2.9m may be in shares and the remainder in cash payable over 2
years. ISIS had revenues of #20.5m for the year ended 31 March 2003 and the cash
acquired with the business is approximately #1.7m. The acquisition will complete
subject to the admission to the Official List and to trading on the London Stock
Exchange of the Consideration Shares. Accordingly, application has been made to
the UKLA for the Consideration Shares to be admitted to the Official List and to
the London Stock Exchange for the Consideration Shares to be admitted to
trading. It is expected that Admission will become effective, and that dealings
in the Consideration Shares will commence, on 8 October 2003.


ISIS provides some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies with
syndicated and custom healthcare research including cancer care audits in 5 key
European markets and in Japan. The acquisition of ISIS complements Synovate's
existing US cancer care audit business and broadens the range of syndicated
audits to include HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, Hepatitis B and Diabetes.


ISIS also has a range of custom research products that, among other things, help
marketers define the positioning and image of drug brands and the effectiveness
of advertising and other forms of communication.


Commenting on the announcement, Doug Flynn, Chief Executive of Aegis said:


"ISIS is a great fit and provides a number of excellent research products that
will be rolled-out throughout Synovate Healthcare's global network. In
particular, there is a strong and growing demand from the major pharmaceutical
companies to monitor how medical professionals utilise drugs in cancer care and
one of the first benefits that our clients will see from this acquisition will
be the industry's first ever global cancer care audit."


                                     -ENDS-

For further information contact:


Aegis Group plc                                                (44) 20 7070 7700
Richard Walters
Financial Dynamics                                             (44) 20 7831 3113
Charles Palmer





Notes to Editors

About Aegis Group plc.

Aegis Group plc is the holding company for Carat, its media strategy, planning
and buying business and Synovate, its market research business. These two
operating groups provide clients with a range of services across, media
communication services, marketing consultancy and market research. Listed on the
London Stock Exchange, Aegis is capitalised at around #1.3 billion and operates
in 64 countries. More information is available at www.aegisplc.com.

About Synovate

Synovate generates consumer insights that drive competitive marketing solutions.
The network provides clients with cohesive global support and a comprehensive
suite of leading research products.

About ISIS

ISIS Research plc was established in 1973 in the UK and has subsequently grown
into an international healthcare research company with subsidiaries and branches
in the US, Japan, Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and the
Philippines. The company provides research services to many of the world's
leading pharmaceutical companies.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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