ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form
S-3
that we filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a well-known seasoned issuer as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a shelf registration process. By using a
shelf registration statement, we and/or the selling stockholders to be named in a supplement to this prospectus may, from time to time, sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings. Each time that we and/or the selling stockholders sell
securities under this shelf registration statement, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this
prospectus with respect to that offering, including information about the selling stockholders. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the prospectus
supplement. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus we file with the SEC, together with the additional information described under the
headings Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.
You should rely only on the
information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any applicable free writing prospectus we file with the SEC. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide
you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional or different information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the selling stockholders will make an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where
an offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of such documents. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise stated or the
context otherwise requires, references to QuintilesIMS, we, us, our, or similar references mean Quintiles IMS Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references to the Shareholders Agreement refers to
the agreement dated May 3, 2016, by and between us, Dr. Dennis B. Gillings, CBE and certain of his affiliates (the DG Stockholders), certain affiliates of Bain Capital Investors, LLC (the Bain Stockholders),
certain funds affiliated with TPG Global, LLC (the TPG Stockholders), CPP Investment Board Private Holdings Inc. (the CPP Stockholder) and Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (the LGP Stockholders), which
agreement addresses, among other things, certain board designation rights, registration rights and transfer restrictions.
We own or have
rights to trademarks and service marks that we use in connection with the operation of our business, including Quintiles IMS, Quintiles, the Quintiles logo, IMS Health, IMS, the IMS logo, IMS One, MIDAS, One Key, Xponent, DDD, MD360 Provider
Performance Management and E 360. All other trademarks or marks that are not identified as owned by us are the property of their respective owners.
Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this annual report are listed without the
®
, (sm) and symbols, but we will assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks and trade names.
We do not intend our use or display of other companies trademarks or service marks to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of us by such other companies.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described in
Risk Factors and elsewhere in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form
10-K
and in any subsequent filings, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement
relating to a particular offering of common stock may also discuss certain risks of investing in that offering. The occurrence of any of such risks may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and
future prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
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