McKesson, a leading healthcare distribution company, has announced plans to invest nearly $2.5 billion in Community Oncology Revitalization Enterprise Ventures (Core Ventures), the business and administrative services arm of Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS).
The acquisition will give McKesson a 70% stake in Core Ventures, while FCS’s physician owners will retain a minority interest. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen McKesson’s oncology platform and expand access to quality cancer care in Florida.
FCS is a prominent community oncology practice with over 250 physicians, 280 advanced practice providers, and nearly 100 locations across Florida. By joining McKesson’s U.S. Oncology Network, FCS will gain access to the company’s extensive oncology products and services.
McKesson’s CEO, Brian Tyler, emphasized the company’s commitment to improving patient outcomes and expanding access to cancer care. “By growing our Oncology platform, we will bring advanced treatments and improved care experiences to patients, while also reducing the overall cost of care,” he stated in the announcement. “FCS and Core Ventures’ expertise and patient-first approach align with our commitment to accelerating clinical development, improving patient outcomes and expanding access to quality cancer care in the community.”
Nathan Walcker, CEO of FCS, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that FCS and the U.S. Oncology Network share a common mission of enhancing patient-centered cancer care. “The US Oncology Network and FCS share a mission and we both aim to strengthen patient-centered cancer care in the community to improve outcomes,” he said in the announcement. “We are thrilled to partner with McKesson and join The Network, which furthers the joint commitment to bringing the best medicine and innovation for patients into communities across Florida.”
Community-based oncology practices have become a strategic target for healthcare pharmaceutical and supply distributors like McKesson. Bloomberg reported last month that two of McKesson’s competitors in the space, Cencora and Cardinal Health, were also courting FCS.
The deal is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approval. Once finalized, McKesson will become a major player in the Florida oncology market, providing patients with access to advanced treatments and improved care experiences.
