Allscripts', Misys' boards agree to merger

LONDON & CHICAGO Clinical software providers Allscripts and Misys Healthcare, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Misys Plc have signed a merger agreement. The new combined company will have a client base of about 150,000 physicians.

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the board of directors of both companies, Misys Healthcare will be merged with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allscripts, and Misys Plc will contribute $330 million in cash to Allscripts, for which it will receive shares representing a 54.5 percent ownership position in the combined company.

“This agreement changes the landscape in healthcare information technology by creating a single company that will serve roughly 150,000 physicians with our portfolio of electronic health records, practice management and other software solutions,” stated Glen Tullman, chief executive officer of Allscripts and the new combined company. “Improving U.S. healthcare requires the ability to connect all stakeholders through the continuum of care, and today we have taken a major step towards doing that, with nearly one out of three physicians in America as customers of the combined company.”