Contacts:

Emily Pihlquist, for
Makovsky & Company Inc.
(212) 508-9690

Patrick Aysseh, for
Informed Medical Communications
(646) 358-1304
pr_at_informedmedical-dot-com

For Immediate Release:



NEW YORK, NY, EDISON, NJ and SEATTLE, WA - March 1, 2005 - The Peer Group, a peer-oriented medical education company, and HealthTalk, Inc., a patient-education enterprise delivering live- and web-based programs on new research and treatments, announced today their merger. The combination marks the launch of a new biopharmaceutical marketing network with interactive educational products and services to physicians and patients called Informed Medical Communications (IMC). The companies have combined revenues of more than $35 million.

The transaction's lead investors include Ferrer Freeman & Co., LLC, a healthcare private-equity firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Frazier Healthcare Ventures, a Seattle-based venture-capital firm.

IMC will provide biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies with a spectrum of products and services including: interactive and live physician and patient programs; call-center services and primary and syndicated market research. The combined Company offers clients access to more than 400,000 physicians, a patient database of people with chronic illnesses, and clinical experience in some 30 disease-states (e.g., oncology, asthma, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular, Crohn's disease and migraine).

Robert Goodman, formerly CEO, HealthTalk, was named CEO of IMC.

"One of the most pressing marketing challenges among biopharmaceutical clients is enhancing the discussion between physician and patient, and caregiver and patient around product selection," stated Mr. Goodman. "The Peer Group and HealthTalk merger will help pharmaceutical brand staff better address this need."

The Peer Group and HealthTalk merger was funded by two well-regarded names in healthcare private equity - Ferrer Freeman & Company, LLC, and Frazier Healthcare Ventures. The two private-equity firms provided funding for the launch of IMC and have earmarked funds to support future growth and acquisitions.

"The companies are extremely complementary in terms of audience, types of programs and clients, with extensive synergies and minimal overlap," commented Tom Flynn, partner, Ferrer Freeman & Company, LLC, an investor in the business. "The combination truly represents a unique and differentiated offering for their clients and current and future members."

Both Peer Group and HealthTalk have 20 years of experience developing promotional and educational programs for their clients. The Peer Group has been a leading marketing company among healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry through the use of its unique peer-to-peer format and services. HealthTalk has helped patients with chronic illnesses better understand their health options by providing the latest research and treatments through live- and web-based educational programs.

When working together, the two companies will be able to provide an integrated and targeted approach to physician and patient communications. During their 20 year histories, they have contributed to the market success of more than 95 healthcare products for 15 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies.

"The merger brings together two enterprises with a history of placing clients' needs in the forefront. The combined resources significantly enhance our capabilities to provide clients with a broader range of services that improve physician-patient dialogue," said Robert Goodman.

As parent company, IMC will operate the branded businesses of The Peer Group and HealthTalk as wholly-owned subsidiaries based from their Edison, NJ, and Seattle, WA, locations. The board of directors will include: Robert Goodman, Harris Kaplan, CEO of HealthStat, LLC, Tom Flynn and Ted Lundberg of Ferrer Freeman & Company, LLC, and Alan Frazier and Patrick Heron of Frazier Healthcare Ventures.

Patrick Heron, Partner with Frazier Healthcare Ventures, noted, "As an early stage investor in HealthTalk, we are excited about the future opportunities of the business because of the exceptional management team and experienced operating professionals in both companies. They have an impressive track record of growing the business and reputation for delivering high quality, innovative programs."

About Informed Medical Communications
Informed Medical Communications (www.informedmedical.com), headquartered in New York City, was formed through the merger of The Peer Group and HealthTalk. The network delivers integrated marketing programs for patients and medical professionals, with the goal of improving the dialogue among patients and physicians in understanding health conditions and their medical options. IMC is a private-equity backed, privately held company.

About The Peer Group
The Peer Group (www.peergroupinc.com) has been an industry innovator and leader in conducting peer-to-peer medical programs for 20 years. Company services include small group meetings, teleconferences, speaking engagements, specialist consulting programs, valuable market research initiatives and call center facilities. The Peer Group has worked with 13 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies, positioning products to a broad range of hospital- and office-based physicians, specialists and other health care professionals.

About HealthTalk
HealthTalk, Inc. (www.healthtalk.com) is a pioneer in providing disease information and support resources that empower patients and caregivers coping with serious medical conditions to proactively and effectively manage their diseases. Now in its 20th year, HealthTalk partners with leading medical authorities and institutions to deliver information to patients and physicians on the latest medical research, treatments and lifestyle issues. The company's consumer resources include grassroots meetings where key opinion leaders communicate directly with patients and community chats and web-casts where users gain access to experts online.