RX Savings Solutions sale would see the startup acquired for up to $875M in KC’s biggest-ever exit

September 19, 2022  |  Startland News Staff

Michael Rea, Rx Savings Solutions, being honored in 2019 as UMKC's Entrepreneur of the Year

The McKesson Corporation has agreed to purchase Overland Park-prescribed Rx Savings Solutions in a deal worth nearly $1 billion. 

McKesson announced Monday that it had entered into an agreement with the prescription pricing startup valued at up to $875 million — more than double the $425 million price tag for which Kansas City-built Backlot Cars exited in 2020, making the sale the largest startup exit in the history of the metro. 

“By joining McKesson, we will be able to offer an exceptionally broad set of services to our clients and strengthen our leadership in prescription price transparency,” said Michael Rea, founder and CEO

“This is a critical part of our growth journey, and we are excited about what the future holds for Rx Savings Solutions as part of McKesson.”

The deal guarantees RxSS a $600 million upfront payment and additional funds up to $275 million contingent upon its financial performance through 2025, the companies said in a release. 

McKesson said the acquisition is in line with its plans for strategic growth, successfully connecting the biopharma space with payer services. 

“Rx Savings Solutions’ offerings for employers and patients will strengthen McKesson’s ability to help solve the most common medication challenges related to access, affordability and adherence,” said Brian Tyler, CEO.

“We expect the acquisition of Rx Savings Solutions to accelerate McKesson’s growth priority in biopharma services by extending our ecosystem of differentiated medication access solutions to patients. Together with Rx Savings Solutions, McKesson will amplify our efforts to advance health outcomes for all.”

RX Savings Solutions will become part of the company’s prescription technology solutions business. The combined organization hopes to deliver new capabilities for employers and patients to McKesson’s portfolio of pharmacy, provider, payer, and biopharma services. 

Founded in 2012, RX Savings Solutions contracts with health plans and self-funded employers in an effort to maximize the effectiveness of benefit design to lower prescription cost savings for members. 

To date, the company has raised more than $22 million and is ranked number three within Startland News’ most recent Kansas City Venture Capital-Backed Companies report. 

startland-tip-jar

TIP JAR

Did you enjoy this post? Show your support by becoming a member or buying us a coffee.

Tagged , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder

      2022 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Sacred sips: Alcohol-free bar on 39th Street creates healing space where ‘every drink is medicine’

        By Tommy Felts | July 31, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following story was published by The Kansas City Defender, a nonprofit Black newsroom producing news, mutual aid and digital tools to keep Kansas City’s Black community informed and organized. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for The Kansas City Defender’s email newsletter. In a neighborhood built to keep them…

        Entrepreneurs say DoorDash accelerator delivered, prepping their small businesses for tall orders ahead 

        By Tommy Felts | July 31, 2025

        Ten graduates of DoorDash’s 12-week Midwest accelerator gathered Wednesday to celebrate successes from the program, along with lessons they say will last longer than the $5,000 grants each entrepreneur received. “Running a small business is tough work, and it meant so much to receive support from DoorDash and my home of Kansas City,” said Tanyech…

        KCK party store’s sales plummet because of ICE fears; It’s not the only business slowed by the crackdown

        By Tommy Felts | July 30, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has many recent immigrants terrified, hunkering down and holding onto their money; That new fear and…

        Couple injects $1M ‘financial good’ from RxSS exit to startup special needs initiative; they hope it’s a blueprint for KC

        By Tommy Felts | July 30, 2025

        Michael and Brandy Rea built and successfully exited one of Kansas City’s fastest-growing health tech companies. Now the Rx Savings Solutions founders share a new prescription for impact: creating inclusive housing for adults with disabilities. Shifting from entrepreneurship to philanthropy, the Michael and Brandy Rea Family Foundation contributed a $1 million lead gift to support…