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LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) - Private equity firm Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has agreed to buy London-listed UDG
Healthcare for 2.6 billion pounds ($3.7 billion), the
pharmaceuticals services company said on Wednesday.
CD&R will pay 10.23 pounds in cash per share in UDG, a
premium of 21.5% on Tuesday's close.
UDG, which has its headquarters in Dublin, specialises in
healthcare advisory, communications, commercial, clinical and
packaging services.
"We believe that this is an attractive offer for UDG
shareholders, which secures the delivery of future value for
shareholders in cash today," UDG Chairman Shane Cooke said in a
statement.
UDG has two divisions -- Ashfield and Sharp -- and employs
around 9,000 people in 29 countries.
"UDG has long established itself as a leading provider of
high-value services to pharma and biotech companies globally,
supported by a highly skilled workforce," said CD&R partner Eric
Rouzier.
($1 = 0.7076 pounds)
($1 = 0.7074 pounds)
(Editing by Keith Weir, Jason Neely and Louise Heavens)