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MDP to acquire Walgreens Infusion Services

Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP) is to acquire a majority interest in Walgreens Infusion Services.

With more than 30 years of experience, Walgreens Infusion Services is one of the nation’s largest providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services and is considered an industry pioneer. Walgreens Infusion Services’ broad geographic footprint includes 89 infusion pharmacies and 110 alternate treatment sites in 40 states, approximately 4,700 employees and the ability to serve more than 90 percent of the US population. Its clinical personnel, including nurses, pharmacists, technicians and dieticians, treat patients who are managing a broad range of acute and chronic conditions.

“This agreement will enable us to continue to strengthen the Walgreens infusion offering as part of our broad health care portfolio as we work closely with the new company, which will have a dedicated focus on this USD14 billion and growing US market,” says Mike Ellis, vice president, Walgreens specialty pharmacy and infusion services. “With Walgreens and MDP’s expertise, capabilities and resources, the new company will have an opportunity to play an even greater role in improving the quality and cost of infusion services.”

When the transaction closes, Walgreens Infusion Services will become a new independent, privately-held company. MDP will own a majority interest in the new company. Walgreens Boots Alliance will own a significant minority interest and have representatives on the company’s board of directors.

The transaction supports Walgreens focus on accelerating its core retail and specialty offerings. Walgreens Infusion Services will receive the additional investment and focused support it needs to continue to grow, while also benefiting from Walgreens Boots Alliance purchasing efficiencies.

Paul Mastrapa, current divisional vice president of Walgreens Infusion Services, will serve as the new company’s CEO. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on the earnings per share of Walgreens Boots Alliance in fiscal year 2015.

“The new company, which will have an industry-leading management team supported by MDP and Walgreens, will be positioned to provide even greater value to patients, local health systems, health plans and pharmaceutical manufacturers,” says Mastrapa.

Over the past 30 years, the principals of MDP have focused on investing in companies in partnership with outstanding management teams to achieve significant long-term appreciation in equity value. MDP has a long history of successfully investing in health care across a range of sub-sectors including hospitals, home and community-based care, skilled nursing facilities, life sciences, specialty pharmaceuticals and medical products. Investments in health care services companies include Team Health, National Mentor Holdings and Valitas. The firm’s most recent health care investments include Kaufman Hall, Ikaria and Sage Products.

“MDP looks forward to our business relationship with Walgreens, and we are confident the new company is well positioned to continue to grow in the alternate-site infusion services industry,” says Tim Sullivan, managing director, Madison Dearborn Partners. “Working in close collaboration with Paul Mastrapa and his team, and also with Walgreens, we plan to invest in additional resources and new technology to enhance the company’s preeminent capabilities as an alternate site provider of critical health care services.”

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