Change Healthcare's second $200M-plus acquisition in two months, home sleep apnea test's CE Mark and more digital health news briefs

Also: Rubicon Technology Partners acquires majority stake in patient orchestration platform; Peloton app launches on Apple TV.
By Dave Muoio
03:14 pm
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Change Healthcare acquisitions target pharma customers. Nashville, Tennessee-based health IT company Change Healthcare has announced its second major digital pharmacy acquisition in as many months.

Yesterday came news of its $208 million purchase of PDX, a decades-old integrated retail, specialty and outpatient pharmacy software maker. In early May, Change had picked up eRx Network, the maker of real-time e-prescribing tools, for $213 million.

Together, the services provide Change broader portfolio of network and analytics tools that it will offer to pharmacy clients.

“For over 30 years, PDX has played a critical role in helping pharmacies streamline operations and leverage automation and business intelligence – essential elements in an increasingly competitive retail pharmacy landscape,” Neil de Crescenzo, president and CEO of Change Healthcare, said in a statement. “Combined with our existing Change Healthcare solutions, we now have a broad portfolio of offerings for pharmacies, an expanded high-quality customer base with significant growth opportunities, and the potential to enter new markets.”


Home sleep apnea test open for EU business. Itamar Medical has received a CE Mark for WatchPAT One, a disposable home sleep apnea test. The wearable device is paired to a smartphone prior to sleeping, and can read heart rate, oximetry, actigraphy, body position, snoring and chest motion.

While the company received a 510(k) from the U.S. FDA last year, this new approval will allow it to market the device in Europe and other CE Mark regions.

"Our solution eliminates the need for return shipping, downloading, cleaning, and preparation, thus significantly reducing patient and staff exposure," CEO and President Gilad Glick said in a statement. "Additionally, we remain enthusiastic about WatchPAT One’s potential in the inpatient setting, where infection transmission through reusable devices is top of mind.”


PE firm takes ownership of patient orchestration company. Rubicon Technology Partners has acquired a majority stake in Central Logic, the companies announced today.

The Utah- and Minnesota-based software maker offers a platform that orchestrates patient care. In a release, Central Logic CEO Angie Franks stressed the importance of these kinds of capabilities during the COVID-19 crisis, which was also echoed by Rubicon Principal Alex Kleiner.

"Central Logic delivers compelling clinical, operational and financial value to health systems, hospitals and public health entities," he said in a statement. "The company's highly differentiated and category-defining solution is perfectly positioned in the market for this unique time in the industry. Central Logic's proven ability to capture market share provides a strong foundation for continued growth, which we plan to aggressively drive with additional cash investment into the business."


Now on a PeloTON of devices. The Peloton workout app has found a new home on Apple TV, according to a notification released to Peloton subscribers today. Alongside smartphones, tablets and web browsers, the app had already been launched for Fire TV, Chromecast and the Apple Watch.

The Peloton app provides subscribers with home workouts that don't necessarily require the company's pricey workout bikes or treadmills. For $12.99 per month, the service includes on-demand classes, challenges and guided workout programs with support for Bluetooth heart rate monitors and Apple Health Integration.

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