Infosys denies talks over Thomson Reuters healthcare business

Infosys Ltd, India's second-largest software services exporter, said on Thursday it is not in talks to acquire the healthcare business of Thomson Reuters Corp.

Denying earlier media reports, Infosys said in an emailed statement to Reuters news agency, "This is to clarify that Infosys is not in discussions for the acquisition of Thomson Reuters' Healthcare business at present."

The denial comes after a statement made yesterday by S D Shibulal, CEO and managing director, Infosys, to a question about the possibility of the Infosys acquiring the healthcare unit of Thomson Reuters,  ''We are dating, but are not yet engaged. We need to understand each other. We definitely aim to get engaged.''

Citing sources close to the development, Business Standard newspaper had last month reported that the Bangalore-based software house is close to acquiring Thomson Reuters' healthcare business for $700-$750 million. (See: Infosys may acquire Thomson Reuters' healthcare business)

The Press Trust of India news agency also reported yesterday on similar lines.

New York-based Thomson Reuters had said in June that it plans to sell its healthcare business, which supplies healthcare data and analysis to companies, government agencies and health care professionals.