Leading Proxy Advisory Firm ISS Recommends Express Scripts Stockholders Vote "FOR" Merger with Cigna

News provided by

Aug 10, 2018, 13:37 ET

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX) today announced that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS"), a leading independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that Express Scripts stockholders vote "FOR" Express Scripts' merger agreement with Cigna (NYSE: CI) at Express Scripts' upcoming special meeting of stockholders scheduled for August 24, 2018.

"We are pleased that ISS recognizes the highly attractive value this transaction delivers to Express Scripts' stockholders," said Tim Wentworth, President and Chief Executive Officer, Express Scripts. "Together, the combined company will lower costs and improve quality, transforming the industry by combining two leading health care services companies that will have the capabilities, financial flexibility, reach and expansion opportunities to create significant and immediate value for clients and stockholders. We encourage Express Scripts stockholders to follow the recommendation of ISS and vote 'FOR' adoption of the merger agreement."

In its report dated August 10, 2018, ISS states the following:

"The strategic rationale appears sound, the offer represents a premium of 30.8 percent relative to the unaffected date, and it was also above the company's all-time high closing price."

"Cigna expects ESRX to improve its ability to control pharmaceutical costs and to hold down overall medical costs, through integrating data from patients' prescriptions and other medical care. That greater ability to control costs should help the combined company gain market share in the health insurance industry."

Express Scripts' special meeting of stockholders is scheduled to be held at 9 a.m. CT on August 24, 2018 at One Express Way, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63121. The Express Scripts board of directors has recommended that stockholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the merger agreement. Express Scripts stockholders who have any questions or need assistance voting their shares should call (800) 690-6903.

The transaction is expected to be completed by December 31, 2018. It remains subject to the approval of Cigna and Express Scripts stockholders and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.

About Express Scripts
Express Scripts is a healthcare opportunity company. Empowered by our legacy as an industry innovator, we dare to imagine – and deliver – a better healthcare system with improved health outcomes and lower costs. From pharmacy and medical benefits management, to specialty pharmacy care and everything in between – we uncover opportunities to make healthcare work better.

Our home base is St. Louis, but our reach extends to millions of Americans across the nation. We stand alongside our clients and partners, collaborating to develop personalized solutions that make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

We believe healthcare can do more. We are Champions For Better^SM.

For more information, visit Lab.Express-Scripts.com or follow @ExpressScripts on Twitter.

Important Information About the Transaction and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction among Cigna, Express Scripts and Halfmoon Parent, Inc. ("New Cigna"), New Cigna has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-224960) that includes a joint proxy statement of Cigna and Express Scripts (as amended, the "Form S-4"). The Form S-4 was declared effective by the SEC on July 16, 2018 and was mailed to stockholders of Express Scripts on or about July 17, 2018. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement and the definitive version of the joint proxy statement/prospectus (when it becomes available) and other relevant documents filed by New Cigna, Cigna and Express Scripts with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Cigna will be available free of charge on Cigna's website at www.cigna.com or by contacting Cigna's Investor Relations Department at (215) 761-4198. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Express Scripts will be available free of charge on Express Scripts' website at www.express-scripts.com or by contacting Express Scripts' Investor Relations Department at (314) 810-3115.

Participants in the Solicitation
Cigna (and, in some instances, New Cigna) and Express Scripts and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Investors may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of directors and executive officers of Cigna (and, in some instances, New Cigna) in Cigna's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018, its definitive proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018, and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Form S-4, which was filed by New Cigna with the SEC on May 15, 2018 and amended on June 20, 2018, July 9, 2018, July 12, 2018 and July 16, 2018 and declared effective on July 16, 2018. Investors may obtain information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of Express Scripts' directors and executive officers in Express Scripts' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2018, its definitive proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting, which was filed with the SEC on March 29, 2018, and the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Form S-4, which was filed by New Cigna with the SEC on May 15, 2018 and amended on June 20, 2018. You may obtain free copies of these documents at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Cigna will be available free of charge on Cigna's website at www.cigna.com or by contacting Cigna's Investor Relations Department at (215) 761-4198. Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Express Scripts will be available free of charge on Express Scripts' website at www.express-scripts.com or by contacting Express Scripts' Investor Relations Department at (314) 810-3115. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and will be contained in other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction if and when they become available. Investors should read the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully and in its entirety before making any voting or investment decisions.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and not intended to and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell, the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for, buy or sell or an invitation to subscribe for, buy or sell any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

Cautionary Notes on Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide Cigna management's and/or Express Scripts management's current expectations or plans for future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "expectations," "plans," "strategy," "prospects," "estimate," "project," "target," "anticipate," "will," "may," "should," "see," "guidance," "confident" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flow, results of operations, uses of cash, share repurchases and other measures of financial performance or potential future plans, strategies or transactions of Cigna or the combined company following consummation of the mergers, the anticipated benefits of the mergers, including estimated synergies, the expected timing of completion of the mergers, Cigna's ability to obtain financing for the mergers and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For those statements, Cigna and Express Scripts claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties detailed in Cigna's and Express Scripts' periodic public filings with the SEC, including those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of the registration statement and in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in Cigna's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, Cigna's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018, Express Scripts' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and Express Scripts' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018, factors contained or incorporated by reference into such documents and in subsequent filings by Cigna and Express Scripts, and the following factors:

the inability of Cigna and Express Scripts to obtain stockholder or regulatory approvals required for the mergers or the requirement to accept conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits of the mergers as a condition to obtaining regulatory approvals;
failure to satisfy the conditions to closing provided in the merger agreement;
a longer time than anticipated to consummate the mergers;
problems regarding the successful integration of the businesses of Cigna and Express Scripts;
unexpected costs regarding the mergers;
restrictions on business activities during the pendency of the mergers and limitations put on Cigna's and Express Scripts' ability to pursue alternatives to the mergers under the merger agreement;
diversion of Cigna management's and Express Scripts management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities;
disruption from the mergers making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships;
potential litigation associated with the mergers;
the ability to hire and retain key personnel;
the availability of financing;
the obligation to complete the mergers even if financing is not available or is available on terms other than those currently anticipated, including financing less favorable to Cigna and New Cigna than its current commitments, due to the absence of a financing condition in connection with the mergers;
effects on the businesses as a result of uncertainty surrounding the mergers;
the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the mergers cannot be realized in full, or at all or may take longer to realize than expected, including risks associated with achieving expected synergies from the mergers;
the uncertainty of the value of the Cigna merger consideration and the Express Scripts merger consideration due to fixed exchange ratios and potential fluctuations in the market prices of Cigna common stock and Express Scripts common stock;
the possibility of the directors and officers of each of Cigna and Express Scripts generally having interests in the mergers that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of Cigna stockholders or Express Scripts stockholders, as applicable;
the possibility of changes in circumstances between the date of the signing of the merger agreement and the closing date that will not be reflected in the opinions received by the Cigna board of directors and the Express Scripts board of directors from their respective financial advisors;
the effect of the substantial additional indebtedness New Cigna will incur in connection with the mergers;
the possibility of actual results of operations, cash flows and financial position after the mergers materially differing from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of New Cigna;
the difference in rights provided to New Cigna stockholders under Delaware law, the New Cigna certificate of incorporation and the New Cigna bylaws, as compared to the rights provided to Cigna stockholders under Delaware law, the Cigna certificate of incorporation and the Cigna bylaws, and to Express Scripts stockholders under Delaware law, the Express Scripts certificate of incorporation and the Express Scripts bylaws (as defined below);
the occurrence of any event giving rise to the right of a party to terminate the merger agreement;
an unexpected downgrade in Cigna's, Express Scripts' or New Cigna's financial strength ratings;
the impact of debt service obligations on the availability of funds for other business purposes, and the terms and required compliance with covenants relating to Cigna's, Express Scripts' or New Cigna's indebtedness; and
future industry risks that are described in SEC reports filed by Cigna and Express Scripts.

There can be no assurance that the mergers or any other transaction described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus will in fact be completed in the manner described or at all. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Cigna and Express Scripts assume no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements.

Express Scripts Contacts

Investor Relations
Ben Bier, 314-810-3115

Media Relations
Jennifer Luddy, 201-269-6402

SOURCE Express Scripts