Clinigen Group has announced that John Bacon has joined the firm as non-executive director following the acquisition of Link Healthcare for £44.5 million.

Bacon founded pharmaceutical and medical technology provider Link Healthcare in 1997. He served as Link Healthcare executive chairman before the acquisition.

Johannes Willemse will act as Bacon's alternate on the Clinigen board, and was Link Healthcare chief executive before the acquisition.

Clinigen chairman Peter Allen said: "On behalf of the board, I welcome John to the team and I am pleased that Johannes has agreed to act as his alternate. Our strategic acquisition of Link has strengthened both Clinigen’s international distribution network across the AAA region – Asia, Africa and Australasia – as well as our management team. Together, we can better meet the growing demand for much needed, but not always licensed, medicines across the world."