United Business Media today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the medical trade press and other professional healthcare business information services in France, bought from MediMedia. The major products and brands – such as Le Quotidien du Médecin and Le Généraliste – occupy leading positions in the French medical press with more than half of total advertising spend directed at general practitioners. The initial agreement to acquire this business was announced on 18th January 2005.

These businesses will become part of CMPMedica France, where they will complement the existing major drug directory business, Vidal – with reciprocal promotion and access to advertisers, government and health professionals. There is scope to expand the major brands into customised services and content-based marketing. UBM acquired CMPMedica during 2004.

The purchase price is €36 million in cash, and the completion of the transaction is subject to satisfactory completion of the contract and related conditions. In 2004 the business generated approximately €60m of turnover and €6m of profit before tax. The proposed acquisition should increase earnings by more than 2% in its first twelve months.

For further information, please contact:

Notes to Editors:

Trade Press
The three main titles are the pre-eminent daily doctors' paper, Quotidien du Médecin, a weekly, Le Généraliste, and a bi-weekly for pharmacists, Quotidien du Pharmacien. Together, the doctors' titles held a 54% share of the advertising market in 2003. In 2004 Quotidien du Pharmacien took the leading position in its market.

Trade shows
This division contains a biennial hospital trade show, Hopital Expo, and the major annual doctors' conference and exhibition, Medec.

CMPMedica, a leading provider of healthcare information, communication and services, is an international company with a reputation for the quality and innovation of its products.

United Business Media acquired CMPMedica on 30th July 2004 – details are on the UBM website at www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

United Business Media plc (http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com) is a leading provider of business information services to the technology, healthcare, media, automotive, financial services and property industries. UBM offers services in news distribution, market research, publishing and events to customers across the globe. Its brands include PR Newswire, the world's leading corporate news distribution service; NOP World, one of the largest market research groups globally; and CMP, the B2B media and exhibition group operating in high tech, healthcare, property, entertainment, jewellery & fashion in the US, UK, Asia and Europe.

This press release includes statements which are not historical facts and are considered "forward-looking" within the meaning of Section 27 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect UBM's current views about future events, business and growth strategy and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "on target" and similar expressions identifying forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from UBM's expectations. UBM expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. Management does not attempt to update forecasts unless conditions materially change.