Apria Healthcare Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire C...( Acquisition significantly expands...),Health

Acquisition significantly expands Apria's national infusion footprint and adds broad network of ambulatory infusion suites to Apria's existing service offering

Adds strength in fast-growing specialty pharmacy services segment

Expands managed care service capabilities; diversifies payor and product mix

Creates the premier specialty infusion services provider

LAKE FOREST, Calif., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Apria Healthcare Group Inc. ("Apria Healthcare" or "Apria") (NYSE: AHG) and Coram, Inc. ("Coram"), a privately-held national provider of home infusion and specialty pharmaceutical services, jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby Apria will acquire Coram. Under the terms of the agreement, Apria will acquire all the outstanding shares of Coram for a cash price of $350 million. The transaction is conditioned upon obtaining customary governmental and regulatory approvals and other standard closing conditions. Apria anticipates closing the acquisition as soon as possible after satisfaction of the closing conditions, which could occur as early as mid-November.

The acquisition will expand Apria's service offering by creating the leading, nationwide home infusion provider. The two organizations care for more than 100,000 patients annually and together are licensed to serve patients in all 50 states. The transaction also enables Apria to immediately enter the large and rapidly-growing specialty pharmaceutical market, while expanding existing managed care relationships associated with its respiratory/home medical equipment business.

"This is a transformative event for Apria Healthcare," said Lawrence M. Higby, Chief Executive Officer of Apri
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