CloserStill Media, the London-based exhibition and conference organiser, has announced it has acquired a majority stake in Spanish exhibition organiser Interalia, which operates the Infarma trade show for the pharmacy sector, for an undisclosed sum.
Infarma is the leading trade show for the Spanish community pharmacy sector with an audience of 30,000 pharmacy professionals and an exhibition in excess of 10,000m of sold space. Infarma joins CloserStill’s pan-European pharmacy network and joins a portfolio which includes the Pharmacy Show (Birmingham), PharmagoraPlus(Paris) and the Clinical Pharmacy Congress (London).
Infarma, held annually in March, alternates between Barcelona (FIRA) and Madrid (IFEMA) and is supported by Spain’s two largest pharmacy associations – Colegio Oficial de Farmaceuticos de Madrid and Collegi de Farmaceutics de Barcelona.
Interalia President Jorge Arque and General Manager Daniel Sarto will continue in their roles as CloserStill contemplates further activity in the Spanish market in the healthcare sector.
In July CloserStill acquired E-World Team in Barcelona, headed by managing director Agustin Torres, who has joined CloserStill Media Tecnología. CloserStill plans to expand its technology events portfolio in Spain with a roll-out of its international technology brands from 2020.
“With Infarma now part of our growing European pharmacy event network, we are excited about the expansion and growth opportunities ahead. Infarma is a high quality event and we’re delighted to have the Interalia team now part of CloserStill as we look to expand across European markets,” said Matthew Butler, managing director of CloserStill’s healthcare portfolio.
“We are thrilled for Interalia, with over 40 years of experience, to become part of CloserStill’s exciting international group – this is the beginning of an exciting new chapter for us and for Infarma. Infarma will benefit enormously by being part of a network of the largest European events serving the pharmacy sector and our team will benefit from being part of such a dynamic, fast-growing business,” said Jorge Arque, President of Interalia, who will retain a minority stake in the business.