BlackRock-backed company eyes Tabula Rasa assets
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
A 13D filing on Thursday disclosed a letter of intent that a portfolio company of a BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) fund intends to make a proposal to transact with certain non-core assets of Tabula Rasa Healthcare (Nasdaq: TRHC).
Why it matters: Axios reported in late March that Tabula Rasa, working with Citigroup, was in advanced discussions regarding the sale of non-core assets, including PrescribeWellness.
- Sources said then that conversations were being held with PE-backed strategics, with BlackRock-backed Transaction Data Systems among logical buyers of PrescribeWellness. TDS is a pharmacy technology company.
- PrescribeWellness is a CRM (customer relationship management) tool that’s integrated with over 10,000 independent pharmacy operating systems.
State of play: Besides PE-backed portfolio companies, logical buyers would include Omnicell (NASDAQ: OMNCL), should it want to beef up its pharmacy-focused hardware and software presence within independent pharmacies.
Flashback: BlackRock’s perpetual capital fund agreed to acquire a majority interest in Transaction Data Systems in May 2021, with minority investor GTCR retaining a minority interest.
Context: Tabula Rasa has been outspoken about its plans to unload non-core assets to boost profitability, strengthen the balance sheet and become and remain cash flow positive by Q3.
- The company in February disclosed letter of intent to sell DoseMeRx, a precision dosing tool used by pharmacists and physicians
- Tabula Rasa bought PrescribeWellness less than three years ago for $150 million, but current price talk could not be determined.
BlackRock declined to comment, while Tabula Rasa did not immediately return a request for comment.