Evernorth Health Services Announces Investment in Shields Health Solutions
Evernorth Health Services, a subsidiary of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), has announced a $3.5 billion investment in Shields Health Solutions, acquiring preferred stock in the specialty pharmacy management company. This investment coincides with Shields becoming a private standalone company following its acquisition by Sycamore Partners from Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Shields partners with over 80 health systems comprising more than 1,000 hospitals and clinics across nearly all 50 states, helping them develop and manage specialty pharmacies. The investment aligns with Evernorth's strategy to enhance its presence in the growing specialty medicine market while supporting patients with complex and chronic conditions.
The transaction is not expected to materially impact The Cigna Group's 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of at least $29.60. The deal provides Evernorth with options for additional future investment in Shields.
Evernorth Health Services, controllata di The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), ha annunciato un investimento di 3,5 miliardi di dollari in Shields Health Solutions, acquisendo azioni privilegiate della società specializzata nella gestione delle farmacie di specialità. L'operazione avviene mentre Shields diventa una società privata indipendente dopo l'acquisizione da parte di Sycamore Partners da Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Shields collabora con oltre 80 sistemi sanitari, che includono più di 1.000 ospedali e cliniche in quasi tutti i 50 stati, supportandoli nella creazione e nella gestione di farmacie di specialità. L'investimento è coerente con la strategia di Evernorth di rafforzare la propria presenza nel mercato in crescita della medicina specialistica e di sostenere i pazienti con condizioni croniche e complesse.
L'operazione non dovrebbe avere un impatto materiale sulle previsioni di The Cigna Group per il 2025 adjusted EPS di almeno 29,60 dollari. L'accordo offre inoltre a Evernorth opzioni per ulteriori investimenti futuri in Shields.
Evernorth Health Services, subsidiaria de The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), ha anunciado una inversión de 3.500 millones de dólares en Shields Health Solutions, adquiriendo acciones preferentes de la compañía de gestión de farmacias especializadas. Esta inversión coincide con la transformación de Shields en una empresa privada e independiente tras su compra por Sycamore Partners a Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Shields colabora con más de 80 sistemas de salud que comprenden más de 1.000 hospitales y clínicas en casi los 50 estados, ayudándoles a desarrollar y gestionar farmacias de especialidad. La inversión encaja con la estrategia de Evernorth de ampliar su presencia en el creciente mercado de medicamentos especializados y de apoyar a pacientes con enfermedades crónicas y complejas.
Se espera que la transacción no tenga un impacto material en la guía de The Cigna Group para el 2025 adjusted EPS de al menos 29,60 dólares. El acuerdo también concede a Evernorth opciones para realizar inversiones adicionales en Shields en el futuro.
Evernorth Health Services(NYSE: CI의 모회사인 The Cigna Group의 자회사)가 특수 약국 관리 업체인 Shields Health Solutions에 35억 달러 투자를 발표하며 우선주를 취득했습니다. 이번 투자는 Shields가 Walgreens Boots Alliance로부터 Sycamore Partners에 인수되어 독립적인 비상장 회사로 전환된 시점에 이루어졌습니다.
Shields는 거의 모든 50개 주에 걸쳐 1,000개 이상 병원과 클리닉을 포괄하는 80개 이상의 의료 시스템과 협력해 특수 약국을 구축·운영하도록 지원합니다. 이번 투자는 Evernorth가 성장 중인 특수 의약품 시장에서의 입지를 강화하고 복잡하고 만성적인 질환을 가진 환자들을 지원하려는 전략과 맞닿아 있습니다.
이 거래는 The Cigna Group의 2025 회계연도 조정 EPS 최소 29.60달러 전망에 실질적인 영향을 미치지 않을 것으로 예상됩니다. 또한 이번 딜은 Evernorth가 향후 Shields에 추가 투자할 수 있는 선택권을 제공합니다.
Evernorth Health Services, filiale de The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), a annoncé un investissement de 3,5 milliards de dollars dans Shields Health Solutions en acquérant des actions préférentielles du gestionnaire de pharmacies spécialisées. Cet investissement intervient alors que Shields devient une société privée indépendante après son rachat par Sycamore Partners auprès de Walgreens Boots Alliance.
Shields s'associe à plus de 80 réseaux de santé, représentant plus de 1 000 hôpitaux et cliniques dans presque tous les 50 États, pour les aider à créer et gérer des pharmacies spécialisées. Cet investissement s'inscrit dans la stratégie d'Evernorth visant à renforcer sa présence sur le marché en expansion des médicaments spécialisés et à soutenir les patients atteints de pathologies chroniques et complexes.
La transaction ne devrait pas avoir d'impact significatif sur la prévision de The Cigna Group pour un adjusted EPS 2025 d'au moins 29,60 $. L'accord offre par ailleurs à Evernorth des options pour d'éventuels investissements supplémentaires dans Shields.
Evernorth Health Services, eine Tochtergesellschaft der The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), hat eine Investition von 3,5 Milliarden US-Dollar in Shields Health Solutions angekündigt und Vorzugsaktien des Spezialapotheken-Managers erworben. Diese Investition fällt mit der Umwandlung von Shields in ein eigenständiges, privates Unternehmen zusammen, nachdem Sycamore Partners das Unternehmen von Walgreens Boots Alliance übernommen hat.
Shields arbeitet mit über 80 Gesundheitssystemen zusammen, die mehr als 1.000 Krankenhäuser und Kliniken in nahezu allen 50 Bundesstaaten umfassen, und unterstützt sie beim Aufbau und Betrieb von Spezialapotheken. Die Investition entspricht Evernorths Strategie, seine Präsenz im wachsenden Markt für Spezialmedikamente zu stärken und Patienten mit komplexen und chronischen Erkrankungen zu unterstützen.
Die Transaktion dürfte die Prognose der The Cigna Group für ein bereinigtes Ergebnis je Aktie (adjusted EPS) für 2025 von mindestens 29,60 USD nicht wesentlich beeinflussen. Der Deal gibt Evernorth zudem Optionen für weitere künftige Investitionen in Shields.
- Strategic $3.5B investment expands Evernorth's presence in the growing specialty medicine market
- Partnership with over 80 health systems covering 1,000+ hospitals across nearly all 50 states
- Shields' care model proven to lower total cost of care by 13%
- Access to over 80% of all limited distribution drugs (LDDs)
- Investment provides optionality for additional future stake in Shields
- Large $3.5B capital commitment in uncertain market conditions
- Complex transaction structure involving multiple parties could pose integration challenges
- Significant exposure to regulatory and healthcare policy changes
Insights
Cigna's $3.5B investment in Shields Health Solutions strategically expands its specialty pharmacy capabilities amid growing market demand.
Evernorth Health Services, a Cigna Group subsidiary, has made a
This investment represents a calculated expansion into the high-growth specialty pharmacy sector. Shields partners with over 80 health systems comprising more than 1,000 hospitals across nearly all 50 states, helping them develop and manage specialty pharmacies. The specialty medication market is experiencing accelerated growth as more patients develop complex and chronic conditions requiring specialized treatments.
For Cigna, this transaction creates multiple strategic advantages. It enhances Evernorth's existing specialty pharmacy capabilities, which already include direct-to-patient pharmacies, medication distribution, and home infusion services. The investment structure provides optionality for additional future investment in Shields, giving Cigna flexibility in its specialty pharmacy strategy.
Financially, management has indicated the investment won't materially impact Cigna's previously issued 2025 adjusted EPS guidance of at least
This move strengthens Cigna's position in an increasingly important healthcare segment where medication costs are rising and patient management is becoming more complex. It represents a continuation of Cigna's vertical integration strategy to capture more of the healthcare value chain through its Evernorth division.
Investment Further Enhances Evernorth's Participation in Growing Market for Specialty Medicine
"Demand for specialty medications continues to grow at an accelerated pace, and Evernorth is uniquely positioned to serve the rapidly expanding number of individuals living with complex and chronic conditions and the doctors who care for them," said David M. Cordani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Cigna Group. "Investing in Shields aligns with our commitment to delivering exceptional care across health care settings – from home to physician's office or clinic, to hospital."
Shields helps hospitals and health systems develop and manage their own specialty pharmacies. Shields partners with more than 80 health systems comprised of more than 1,000 hospitals and clinics across nearly all 50 states.
Today, Evernorth supports patients living with specialty conditions and the providers who care for them through its direct-to-patient pharmacies, complex medication distributor, inventory management technology, home and ambulatory infusion services and more. Investing in Shields allows Evernorth to seek more opportunities to support patients and providers and enhance continuity of care across specialty health care settings. It also provides optionality for additional investment in Shields over time.
Michael Ham, Shields' Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our team at Shields has been proud to deliver exceptional clinical, financial and operational outcomes for our health system partners and their patients served through our differentiated care model. Both Sycamore's acquisition of Shields, and Evernorth's support for the transaction, demonstrate clear validation of our successful health system-focused specialty pharmacy strategy and patient-focused care model."
"We are pleased to have worked with Evernorth on this investment as Sycamore establishes Shields as a private standalone company," said Stefan Kaluzny, Managing Director of Sycamore. "The Shields team and Evernorth share an unwavering commitment to patient care and we are proud to support Shields on its next phase of growth."
Greenhill, an affiliate of Mizuho, is acting as the sole financial advisor to Evernorth during this transaction. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as corporate legal counsel and
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release, and oral statements made in connection with this release, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on The Cigna Group's current expectations and projections about future trends, events and uncertainties. These statements are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding The Cigna Group's projected adjusted income from operations outlook for 2025 on a per share basis, the anticipated benefits of the investment, expected demand for specialty medications and our ability to meet that demand, potential future opportunities and additional investments, and other statements regarding The Cigna Group's future beliefs, expectations, plans, intentions, liquidity, cash flows, financial condition or performance. You may identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "may," "should," "will" or other words or expressions of similar meaning, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our ability to achieve our strategic and operational initiatives; our ability to adapt to changes in an evolving and rapidly changing industry; our ability to compete effectively, differentiate our products and services from those of our competitors and maintain or increase market share; price competition and other pressures that could compress our margins or result in premiums that are insufficient to cover the cost of services delivered to our customers; the potential for actual claims to exceed our estimates related to expected medical claims; our ability to develop and maintain satisfactory relationships with health care payors, physicians, hospitals, other health service providers and with producers and consultants; our ability to maintain relationships with one or more key pharmaceutical manufacturers or if payments made or discounts provided decline; changes in the pharmacy provider marketplace or pharmacy networks; changes in drug pricing or industry pricing benchmarks; our ability to invest in and properly maintain our information technology and other business systems; our ability to prevent or contain effects of a potential cyberattack or other privacy or data security incident; risks related to our use of artificial intelligence and machine learning; political, legal, operational, regulatory, economic and other risks that could affect our multinational operations, including currency exchange rates; risks related to strategic transactions and realization of the expected benefits of such transactions, as well as integration or separation difficulties or underperformance relative to expectations which could lead to an impairment charge; dependence on success of relationships with third parties; risk of significant disruption within our operations or among key suppliers or third parties; potential liability in connection with managing medical practices and operating pharmacies, onsite clinics and other types of medical facilities; the substantial level of government regulation over our business and the potential effects of new laws or regulations or changes in existing laws or regulations; uncertainties surrounding participation in government-sponsored programs and providing services to payors who participate in government-sponsored programs; the outcome of litigation, regulatory audits and investigations; compliance with applicable privacy, security and data laws, regulations and standards; potential failure of our prevention, detection and control systems; unfavorable economic and market conditions, the risk of a recession or other economic downturn and resulting impact on employment metrics, stock market or changes in interest rates and risks related to a downgrade in financial strength ratings of our insurance subsidiaries; the impact of our significant indebtedness and the potential for further indebtedness in the future; credit risk related to our reinsurers; as well as more specific risks and uncertainties discussed in The Cigna Group's most recent report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K available through the Investor Relations section of www.thecignagroup.com. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are not guarantees of future performance or results, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or quantify. The Cigna Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
About Evernorth Health Services
Evernorth Health Services creates pharmacy, care, and benefits solutions to improve health and increase vitality. We relentlessly innovate to make the prediction, prevention, and treatment of illness and disease more accessible to millions of people. Evernorth capabilities are powered by our businesses, including Express Scripts, Express Scripts® Pharmacy, Accredo, eviCore, and MDLIVE, along with holistic Evernorth platforms and solutions that move people and organizations forward. All Evernorth solutions are serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of Evernorth Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI), or third-party partners. Learn more at evernorth.com.
About Shields Health Solutions
Shields Health Solutions (Shields) is the premier specialty pharmacy accelerator in the country. The Shields Performance Platform, an integrated set of solutions, services and technology, is intentionally designed to elevate payer and drug access for specialty pharmacies, elevate health outcomes for complex patients, and elevate growth throughout the entire health system. As the foremost experts in the health system specialty pharmacy industry, Shields has a proven track record of success including access to over 80 percent of all limited distribution drugs (LDDs) and most (health insurance) payers in the nation; and a clinical model proven to lower total cost of care by
About Sycamore Partners
Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm based in
Contacts
Evernorth Health Services
Justine Sessions
media@evernorth.com
Shields Health Solutions
Crystal Chuckel, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
cchuckel@shieldsrx.com
Ruth Pachman or Daniel Hoadley
Kekst CNC
ruth.pachman@kekstcnc.com / daniel.hoadley@kekstcnc.com
Sycamore Partners
Michael Freitag, Zach Genirs, Abigail South
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449
media@sycamorepartners.com
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SOURCE The Cigna Group
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