IQV vs ULTA Comparison

Iqvia is a global leader in clinical research and technology solutions for the life science industry. Formed in 2016 from the merger of Quintiles and IMS Health, it combined clinical trial services with extensive healthcare data and analytics. Its reserach and development solutions segment provides outsourced clinical development services spanning drug discovery, trial design, patient recruitment, site management, clinical testing, real-world studies, and the regulatory approval process. Its commercial solutions segment helps companies optimize product commercialization through analytics, technology, and outsourced sales and medical services. Together, Iqvia supports customers across the life science industry, and it serves biopharmaceutical firms, providers, payers, and policymakers.

Ulta Beauty is the largest specialized beauty retailer in the US with about 1,500 freestanding stores. The firm offers cosmetics (39% of 2024 sales), fragrances (13%), skin care (23%), and hair care products (19%). It also has salon services, including hair, makeup, skin, and brow, that account for about 4% of its revenue and drive traffic. Outside of the US, Ulta acquired premium beauty retailer Space NK and its 83 stores in the UK and Ireland in 2025, is opening franchised stores in Mexico, and has formed a joint venture to expand into the Middle East. In addition, Ulta collects royalties through its Target partnership (set to end in 2026) and credit card revenue. Ulta was founded in 1990 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.