Edison Partners, the growth equity investment firm, today announced leading a $12 million growth financing round in next-generation health technology company, Capital Rx. The company will use the funds to accelerate go-to-market execution and bolster its technology platform to transform the $500 billion pharmaceutical benefits management (PBM) industry.
Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed and the public is demanding more transparency around the cost of healthcare, which is a centerpiece of the 2020 Presidential election campaign. Large PBMs are facing scrutiny as their revenues are tied to drug prices and they have done little to bring pricing transparency to the market over the last 20 years, paving the way for next-generation PBMs that offer a more sustainable approach. Capital Rx oversees prescription benefit plans and brings financial visibility at the individual level to help employers, unions, and government entities achieve lower costs, manage their high-cost populations more effectively and improve patient outcomes.
“Capital Rx is tackling one of the most pertinent issues in the healthcare system: a lack of pricing transparency. Their focus on providing a transparent clearinghouse and great service has quickly resonated with employers that have grown frustrated with the existing PBM model and are looking for an innovative solution to rising prescription costs. As a rapidly growing health technology company with a large addressable market, Capital Rx is a great fit for our portfolio and we look forward to helping AJ and the management team achieve their vision and maximize their market potential,” said Lenard Marcus, General Partner at Edison Partners who led the investment.
Having launched in April 2018, Capital Rx has realized 3,000% year-over-year revenue growth, with strong gross margin even as the company passes through savings to customers. Richer data sources, a unique, flat-fee business model and efficient workflows have helped them attract marquee employers including Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters and WoodForest Bank.
“The future of the pharmacy benefits industry is value-based—and that’s in line with our ethos to bring sustainable and transformative programs that accurately balance access, cost, and outcomes. Edison Partners is providing both the capital source and operating leverage to help us accelerate our go-to-market strategy and disrupt the supply chain with scalability, technology and service differentiation,” said AJ Loiacono, founder and CEO of Capital Rx.
Edison Partners has financed and guided more than 220 private companies since 1986, including more than 20 healthcare technology companies. Noteworthy Healthcare IT exits include Premier Health Exchange (PHX), Dendrite, Cadient, Health Market Science, and Verilogue. Current Healthcare IT portfolio companies include Lincor, TrialScope, VirtualHealth and Zelis.
About Capital Rx
Capital Rx is a next generation pharmacy benefits manager, overseeing prescription benefit plans on behalf of employers, unions, and government entities. Determined to transform an outdated model, Capital Rx’s mission is to change the way prescription benefits are priced and administered in the US, unlocking enduring social change. Through our platform approach, Capital Rx delivers data-driven insights and actionable strategies that reduce costs, while improving patient outcomes. Our commitment to innovation, technology and service is the reason why Capital Rx is among the fastest-growing PBMs in the country. For more information, please visit http://www.cap-rx.com.
About Edison Partners
For more than 32 years, Edison Partners has been helping CEOs and their executive teams grow and scale successful companies. The firm’s investment team brings extensive investing and operating experience to each investment. Through a unique combination of growth capital and the Edison Edge platform, consisting of operating centers of excellence, the Edison Director Network, and executive education programs, Edison employs a truly integrated approach to accelerating growth and creating value for businesses. A team of experts in financial technology, healthcare IT and enterprise solution sectors, Edison targets high-growth companies with $5 to $25 million in revenue; investments also include buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts and secondary stock purchases.
