News Briefs: Elevance Health Will Acquire Paragon Healthcare

Elevance Health, Inc. has agreed to acquire infusion services provider Paragon Healthcare, Inc., the health insurer said Jan. 4. The companies did not disclose financial details of the deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2024. Paragon Healthcare serves more than 35,000 people at more than 40 ambulatory infusion centers in eight states, as well as in the home setting, and it treats more than 300 conditions. Once the deal is finalized, Paragon Healthcare will operate as part of CarelonRx, which is the pharmacy segment within Elevance Health’s Carelon health services division. The deal follows Elevance Health’s acquisition of BioPlus, a specialty pharmacy subsidiary of CarepathRx, a portfolio company of Nautic Partners, which it closed in February 2023.

Hizentra (immune globulin subcutaneous [human] 20% liquid) is now available in a 10 g prefilled syringe, manufacturer CSL Behring disclosed Jan. 3. The agent is the first and only subcutaneous immune globulin treatment approved for the maintenance of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in the U.S. It also is approved for primary immunodeficiency in people at least 2 years old. In addition to the new size, the drug also is available in 1 g, 2 g and 4 g prefilled syringes.