Torex Buys Obs & Gynae Systems Specialist

Torex continued its march along the acquisition trail with the purchase of Protos Limited, the UK’s dominant provider of obstetric and gynaecology IT systems.

The sale has been sealed for £1.45m in Torex ordinary shares and up to £0.4m cash, depending on the level of cash in the business. Both shares and cash are payable on completion of the deal.

Nottingham-based Protos provides specialist application software which is installed at 64 sites in 55 NHS trusts. Its products service a number of changes in the collection of infant data mandated recently by the NHS.

Torex says in its announcement of the acquisition that it will offer the Protos product as a key clinical feed to the National Data Spine planned as part of the Integrated Care Records Service for England.

Protos also provides IT products to service neonatal care and software to support the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and thyroid problems. All products are based on Microsoft technology.

Chris Moore, Torex chairman, says, “The acquisition fits in with our stated strategy of growing the business by organic growth and selective acquisitions. Protos further enhances the Torex portfolio of clinically focused product offerings and domain knowledge, which address the Government’s directives and proposals for large procurements and modernisation plans.”

Earlier this year Torex bought the UK business of Australian supplier, IBA Health and the laboratory, radiology, oncology, mental health and primary care operations of InHealth Solutions.