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Deal of the Week: CVS/Aetna

by | Dec 8, 2017 8:09 pm | Other Services

The biggest deal of the year (so far) was announced on Sunday, December 3, no doubt timed to give media outlets a fresh story to begin the week. By now you know that CVS Health Corp. (NYSE: CVS) and managed care giant Aetna (NYSE: AET) plan to merge in mid-2018, to the tune of $77 billion (including Aetna’s debt). The deal was first reported in October by The Wall Street Journal, with talk of $200 to $205 per share for Aetna. The final price is $207 per share in cash and stock: $145 in cash and $62 in stock. Besides being the largest deal announced in 2017 (since 2015, in fact), the unusual combination portends major changes in the U.S. healthcare market. Or not. Skeptics abound regarding... Read More »
Stat of the Week: ‘Other Services’ Drops 19% in Q3:17

Stat of the Week: ‘Other Services’ Drops 19% in Q3:17

by | Dec 1, 2017 8:40 pm | Other Services

Investors have flocked to the “Other Services” sector this year, as its ancillary nature keeps the companies that comprise it largely outside the purview of reimbursement regulations and other stroke-of-the-pen sectors. The 42 transactions announced in this sector in the third quarter represent a 19% decrease from the previous quarter, and a 32% decrease compared with the year-earlier quarter.  Deal volume accounted for 22% of the 192 deals announced in the past 12 months. The “Other Services” category covers products and services related to human health care, but in an ancillary way, such as contract research organizations, ambulatory surgery centers, institutional and... Read More »
Cardinal Health Sheds its China Operations

Cardinal Health Sheds its China Operations

by | Nov 15, 2017 7:24 pm | Other Services, Private Equity

Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) put its Cardinal Health China business up for sale in July of this year, following concerns that upcoming drug distribution reform could threaten the company’s growth. Cardinal’s China business is the eighth largest drug distributor in the country, operating 14 direct sales units and 17 distribution centers that cover 322 cities and 11,000 medical institutions. The bidding process was very competitive, according to Reuters, and names like Warburg Pincus were rumored to have competed in the final rounds, among other private equity and Chinese pharmaceutical bidders. On November 14th, Cardinal Health announced that Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding Co., Ltd.... Read More »
Deal of the Week: McKesson/RxCrossroads

Deal of the Week: McKesson/RxCrossroads

by | Nov 10, 2017 5:56 pm | Biotechnology, Managed Care, Other Services, Pharmaceuticals

The largest deal announced in a very sluggish week for healthcare announcements was McKesson Corp.’s (NYSE: MCK) $735 million acquisition of RxCrossroads from CVS Health Corp. (NYSE: CVS). RxCrossroads provides a range of specialty distribution, pharmacy and patient support to biopharmaceutical manufacturers. CVS acquired it in 2015 as part of its $12.7 billion deal for Omnicare Inc., which specialized in managing pharmaceutical care in long-term care and assisted living facilities. Omnicare paid $235 million for RxCrossroads in 2005, when it reported annualized revenue of $46 million. For McKesson, RxCrossroads will help it to capitalize on what the coming boom in the specialty... Read More »
Diplomat Adds Pharmacy Benefits Management to Its Roster

Diplomat Adds Pharmacy Benefits Management to Its Roster

by | Nov 9, 2017 8:55 pm | Other Services

Pharmacy benefit management (PBM) deals have picked up slightly in 2017. With less than two months left in the year, six of these deals have been announced, up from 2016’s total of three deals. The most recent announcement is Diplomat Pharmacy Inc.’s (NYSE: DPLO) acquisition of National Pharmaceutical Services for $47 million. Diplomat, a specialty pharmaceutical company, has been active acquiring other specialty pharmacy groups over the past two years. The NPS deal marks its entry into the PBM space. Pharmaceutical Technologies, Inc., dba National Pharmaceutical Services, is a full-service pharmacy benefit manager that provides proprietary claims-processing system and offers mail-order... Read More »
Clinical Trial Software Companies Are Hot

Clinical Trial Software Companies Are Hot

by | Nov 3, 2017 4:55 pm | Biotechnology, CRO, eHealth

The digital health sector is benefitting big-time from the explosion in drug discovery transactions in 2017. Investors are now targeting eHealth companies specializing in clinical trial software. The statistics behind the surge in mergers and acquisitions in the drug discovery market are impressive. Through the first week in November, 43 deals targeting contract research organizations (CROs) have been announced, up nearly 70% from this time in 2016, and a 760% increase from this time in 2015. Biotechnology deals are speeding up as well, up nearly 30% from the past two years. Pharmaceutical companies are a main driver of demand in these sectors. Rather than fund in-house R&D, Big Pharma... Read More »