Anti-Middleman Consolidation, Walgreens Gets Sliced & Diced Post-Acquisition, Protein Pushers Big Secret

Hey all,

Happy Tuesday! I took a break from the Round Up last week but we’re back after the holiday. Seems like everyone’s chugging protein shakes these days, but unless you’re actually lifting weights, all that extra powder won’t do much besides lighten your wallet. The science says resistance training is what makes protein matter—otherwise, you’re just fueling expensive pee. Still, can’t wait to see the sales numbers for the magic pill that gives you muscles without ever stepping foot in a gym.

 Enjoy the rundown! 

Jacob Brody (Co-Founder & CEO, ZorroRX)

(Bloomberg) Health-Care Deal Creates $6 Billion Company Aiming to Upend Drug Middlemen

Eversana has acquired Waltz Health to form a $6 billion company designed to bypass traditional pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by directly connecting health-care purchasers with drug manufacturers. The move reflects growing industry and regulatory pressure to reduce inflated drug costs tied to PBM rebates and misaligned incentives, signaling a broader push to reshape how Americans access prescription drugs. And as the race to dethrone the PBM giants heats up, expect a wave of “anti-middleman middlemen” consolidations—because nothing fixes too many layers like adding a few more. Full Article

(Healthcare Dive) Sycamore Partners closes Walgreens acquisition, splits retailer into 5 companies

Walgreens has officially gone private after Sycamore Partners completed its $10 billion acquisition, ending the retailer’s nearly century-long run as a public company. The deal splits Walgreens into five independent businesses—including Shields Health Solutions, which partners with health systems to manage specialty pharmacies and 340B programs, CareCentrix, VillageMD, and Boots Group—while retail veteran Mike Motz has been named CEO to lead a turnaround. The move highlights both Walgreens’ struggles to adapt to declining pharmacy margins and healthcare pivots that failed to deliver profits, while Sycamore’s debt-heavy leveraged buyout strategy suggests Walgreens’ “fresh start” might just come with a heavier ball and chain. Full Article

(Ground Truths / Eric Topol) Protein Intake Obsession

Eric Topol reviews the rise of high-protein diets, showing that while influencers and companies promote extreme intake levels, evidence does not support benefits beyond 1.6 g/kg/day and highlights potential risks like cardiovascular disease driven by leucine and mTOR activation. Despite the booming market for protein products, most Americans already consume more than the recommended amount, with excess protein either wasted or harmful. After all, it’s a lot easier to chug a shake than to actually pick up a dumbbell. Full Article.