Cognizant to acquire US-based Trizetto for about $2.7 billion

NEW DELHI: Cognizant on Monday announced that it will acquire US-based healthcare technology & operations company Trizetto for about $2.7 billion in cash. "With more than $3 billion in combined healthcare revenue, Cognizant and TriZetto will serve nearly 245,000 healthcare providers," a press release from Cognizant said.

"Healthcare is undergoing structural shifts due to reform, cost pressure and shifting responsibilities between payers and providers. This creates a significant growth opportunity, which TriZetto will help us capture," said Francisco D'Souza, CEO of Cognizant.

"We are excited that the integrated portfolio of capabilities across technology and operations will uniquely position us to help clients drive higher levels of operational efficiency, while re-imagining care for the future," D'Souza said. "We look forward to welcoming the TriZetto team into the Cognizant family and creating a truly differentiated and sustainable foundation for healthcare," he added.

According to the company's press release, Cognizant expects this acquisition to "accelerate significantly its market position and strategy of delivering innovative healthcare software and solutions to a wide range of healthcare clients."

TriZetto and its 3,700 employees will be a part of Cognizant's existing healthcare business, which currently serves more than 200 clients, the release said.

"Our agreement with Cognizant advances our vision of simplifying healthcare for everyone. We believe the combination of Cognizant and TriZetto's talented employees and innovative technology and operations will have a meaningful impact on the way health is managed and care is delivered," said Jude Dieterman, President and COO of TriZetto.

"Cognizant intends to finance the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and debt, and has secured $1 billion of committed financing in support of the transaction," the release said. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2014.

"Cognizant was advised by Credit Suisse, UBS Securities LLC and Centerview Partners. Legal counsel to Cognizant was provided by Latham & Watkins LLP and Nishith Desai Associates. TriZetto was advised by JP Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman, Sachs & Co. Legal counsel to TriZetto was provided by Kirkland & Ellis LLP," the press release stated.