Simulations Plus, Inc. (NASDAQ: SLP), a leading provider of consulting services and software for pharmaceutical discovery and development, today announced that it has signed a Stock Purchase Agreement with the Prentke Romich Company of Wooster, Ohio (PRC) to sell Simulations Plus™ wholly owned Words+ subsidiary to PRC for $2.1 million subject to ordinary adjustments for changes in net working capital. Closing is planned for November 30, 2011, to coincide with the end of the first fiscal quarter of Simulations Plus™ 2012 fiscal year.
Walt Woltosz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Simulations Plus, said, “Thirty years ago, we founded Words+ to provide high-level computer-based communication systems for people who experience loss of speech and/or other motor skills. Words+ systems have been used by thousands of people around the world, and the company pioneered a number of communication strategies that are now widely used in such systems today.”
“Things changed markedly in 1996 when we founded Simulations Plus, with a focus on simulation and modeling software and consulting services for pharmaceutical research and development. That business has been highly successful and has been the primary focus of our attention for the last 15 years. As a result, our shareholders have often asked why we continue to operate two very different businesses. Earlier this year, the board of directors decided to investigate the possible sale of Words+ so that we could focus our attention on the higher margin pharmaceutical software and consulting services business.”
Woltosz continued, “When we started Words+ in 1981, we learned of a company in Ohio run by Barry Romich that had already been in business for 15 years, and also produced communication systems, although with a very different approach to system design, language strategies, and marketing and sales. Our businesses evolved in separate ways, with Words+ focused on using personal computers as the core of our systems. We often cooperated in ways that were of mutual benefit and helped to grow the industry, including when Barry and I started the Communication Aid Manufacturers Association in the 1980s.”
Jeff Dahlen, President of Words+, added, “The sale of Words+ to PRC will begin a new era for Words+, and will result in a home for the company in a larger organization that is well-equipped to support and grow this specialized business. We are very pleased that PRC intends to keep the Words+ name and identity, as it has with other acquisitions it has made in recent years. PRC is a forward-looking company and is a great success story in the field of augmentative communication. Although some operations will move to Ohio, there will also be continued operations in California. We look forward to this exciting opportunity to work with one of the premier companies in the business.”
“The addition of Words+ to the PRC family provides new solutions for helping both children and adults,” said David L. Moffatt, President and CEO of PRC. “Words+ has a long history of providing quality products and service, and an ongoing commitment to the field of augmentative communication. Their strong product management and product development expertise in working with adults with acquired disabilities, such as ALS, is a natural fit for the work we are doing.”
Barry A. Romich, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of PRC, said, “Walt Woltosz is a pioneer in this field. We have the highest respect for Walt and his staff, and consider it a privilege to continue their fine work. Our goal, as we go forward, is to provide the best quality services for Words+ customers.”
Excel Partners, a healthcare-focused investment bank with offices in New York and Santa Monica, acted as exclusive financial advisor to SLP in connection with this transaction.