BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) today announced that Cigna shareholders have voted, at a special meeting of shareholders held earlier today, to approve the adoption of the previously announced merger agreement with Express Scripts Holding Company (NASDAQ: ESRX) one of the nation’s leading pharmacy services companies.
According to the preliminary results announced at the meeting, approximately 90 percent of the votes cast were voted in favor of the merger agreement. The final voting results will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a Form 8-K.
“We are delighted that our fellow Cigna shareholders support our merger with Express Scripts in recognition of the combination’s significant value creation potential,” said David M. Cordani, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cigna. “Together with Express Scripts, Cigna will further accelerate our strategy of Go Deeper, Go Local and Go Beyond by improving affordability and choice, expanding our distribution reach, and further strengthening predictability for customers, clients, partners and communities - all while maintaining significant financial flexibility and delivering attractive returns for our shareholders.”
“Our combined company will enhance Cigna’s differentiated service-based model, fueled by actionable insights and analytics, to drive innovation and meaningful growth in a highly dynamic market environment. As a result, we will build more effective partnerships, further improve health outcomes and deliver a superior customer experience,” Cordani concluded.
Cigna anticipates that the merger will close by year-end 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.
About Cigna
Cigna Corporation (NYSE: CI) is a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. All products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of North America, Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, or their affiliates. Such products and services include an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vision, supplemental benefits, and other related products including group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna maintains sales capability in over 30 countries and jurisdictions, and has more than 95 million customer relationships throughout the world. To learn more about Cigna®, including links to follow us on Facebook or Twitter, visit www.cigna.com. For more information about Cigna's proposed acquisition of Express Scripts, please visit www.advancinghealthcare.com.
