DENVER, Colo. and BANNOCKBURN, Ill. (March 20, 2019)—BioScrip, Inc. (BioScrip) and Option Care Enterprises, Inc. (Option Care), independent providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion therapy services, announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. The combination is expected to create a leading independent provider with the national reach, comprehensive therapy offering and financial capacity to succeed in the attractive and growing home and alternate site infusion services segment of the $100 billion U.S. infusion market.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, BioScrip will issue new shares to Option Care’s shareholder, which is owned by investment funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC (MDP) and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA), in an all-stock transaction. Upon completion of the transaction, MDP funds and WBA will beneficially own approximately 80 percent of the combined publicly traded company on a fully diluted basis, with current BioScrip shareholders holding the remainder. The combined company’s common stock will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both BioScrip and Option Care.

The combined company will be led by Option Care Chief Executive Officer John Rademacher and Option Care Chief Financial Officer Mike Shapiro and will incorporate the best talent, processes and systems from both Option Care and BioScrip. It also will have a leading, independent clinical platform for delivering high-quality infusion therapy to more patients across the United States and providing superior outcomes for patients, payers and providers. BioScrip President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel E. Greenleaf will remain active in the combined company as a special advisor to its board of directors.

Daniel E. Greenleaf, President and Chief Executive Officer of BioScrip, commented, “This is a compelling and complementary fit of two leading players in the U.S. infusion market. Together, we will be able to provide a diverse set of life-improving and cost-effective services to more patients across the United States. Our expanded reach and broader array of offerings provide a key competitive advantage at a time when the demand for home and alternate site infusion services continues to grow. The BioScrip board and I believe our shareholders will have the compelling opportunity to participate alongside Option Care’s experienced and seasoned shareholders in the long-term potential and value creation opportunities of the combined company.”

Rademacher said, “This transaction brings together two organizations and thousands of employees dedicated to creating a best-in-class experience for our patients and their families. Our goal is to constantly improve the delivery of life-saving therapies and comprehensive care management to the patients we have the privilege of serving. At the center of both organizations is deep clinical expertise and a passion to deliver extraordinary care. We believe combining our unique assets and leading product portfolios will create a powerful, independent platform that will enable delivery of high-quality, cost-effective solutions to providers across the country and help facilitate the introduction of innovative new therapies to the marketplace. As an independent provider, we will retain the unique ability to deliver high-quality infusion therapy in the patient-preferred and safer setting of the home or an alternate site to every commercial and governmental payer.

“I am honored to lead the combined company and work with BioScrip’s and Option Care’s talented and dedicated employees, who share a strong commitment to delivering exemplary care that makes a positive difference in people’s lives. I look forward to harnessing the strengths of both of our organizations and industry-leading teams to capitalize on the many growth opportunities this combination creates to drive long-term value for all stakeholders.” 

Shareholders and Management Focused on Driving Value Creation

MDP, a private equity firm based in Chicago, has a long and successful history investing in health care companies and partnering with them to achieve growth and significant long-term value appreciation. MDP’s notable health care investments include Ikaria Inc., Sage Products, Sirona Dental Systems, Team Health and VWR International. Option Care, formerly Walgreens Infusion Services, has been an independent company since it was separated from WBA in 2015 in a joint investment partnership between MDP funds and WBA.

Timothy P. Sullivan, a Managing Director and Head of the MDP Health Care team and a Director of Option Care, said, "We believe this transaction provides significant shareholder value creation potential and we are excited to remain a major shareholder alongside Walgreens Boots Alliance in the combined company. John, Mike and the joint leadership team bring operational expertise and strong integration track records. Since separating from Walgreens, we have made significant investments in people, process, technology and facilities. This experience, combined with their commitment to patient-centric care, should drive meaningful and long-term shareholder value.”

Rademacher and Shapiro are seasoned health care professionals with significant operational expertise and public company experience. 

Rademacher has held various executive-level positions at leading public healthcare companies, including Cardinal Health where he served as president and general manager for both the Ambulatory Care Division and the Nuclear and Pharmacy Services Divisions, and at Cigna Corporation where he served as president of CareAllies and Chief Operating Officer for the CIGNA Behavioral Health business.

Shapiro served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Catamaran Corporation, a publicly traded pharmacy benefits manager, and led the successful process through which the company was sold to UnitedHealth Group. He also had a longstanding career with Baxter International, holding several financial positions across several businesses and corporate functions.

Rademacher has spearheaded Option Care’s Zenith 20/20 program, which changed the company’s operating model, implementing technology, operational design and facility upgrades throughout the organization. Under his leadership, Option Care has focused on providing high-quality care and improving delivery of services to patients, payers and manufacturers. The combined company, its employees and all stakeholders are expected to benefit from a leadership team focused on creating a culture that connects its clinical expertise and company success to patient outcomes.

In addition to Rademacher and Shapiro, the combined company’s leadership will draw from the experienced teams of both Option Care and BioScrip. 

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by BioScrip shareholders.

Visit optioncare.com for more information.