Thomson acquires drug data firm

Thomson Corp. has acquired Prous Science, a Barcelona, Spain, company that sells drug-development companies information on compounds and patents.

The companies did not disclose financial terms. Stamford-based Thomson is adding Prous and its 180 employees to its Thomson Scientific division, which sells software and databases to help companies research drugs under development, search patents and build bibliographies.

In separate news, Thomson is raising $800 million in a notes offering, with plans to use the proceeds to pay down debt and for general corporate purposes.