Apollo Care Acquires eStrat to Fortify Patient Access Dominance

CHICAGO, IL – January 16, 2026 – In a significant strategic move aimed at consolidating its position in the healthcare technology sector, Apollo Care today announced its acquisition of eStrat, a specialized provider of copay and patient access solutions. The deal integrates eStrat's deep commercial expertise into Apollo Care's technology-driven platform, a combination the companies assert will reduce complexity for pharmaceutical manufacturers and improve patient access to medications.

The acquisition comes at a pivotal time for the pharmaceutical services industry. The global market for patient access and support services, valued at over $3 billion, is on a steep growth trajectory, projected to exceed $7.6 billion by 2033. This expansion is largely fueled by the proliferation of high-cost specialty drugs for complex and rare diseases, which often come with significant affordability and access hurdles for patients. By acquiring eStrat, Apollo Care is making a decisive play to capture a larger share of this burgeoning market.

"This investment reinforces our commitment to industry leadership in patient access and affordability solutions," said Ben Bove, President, CEO, and Chairman of Apollo Care, in a statement announcing the transaction. He emphasized that the merger would allow the combined entity to "help manufacturers reduce complexity, improve access for patients, and more effectively translate data and analytics into real-world execution."

A Strategic Play in a Competitive Arena

Apollo Care's acquisition of eStrat is more than a simple expansion; it represents a calculated move to create a more comprehensive, end-to-end solution in a fragmented and competitive landscape. The patient access space is populated by a variety of players, from large Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to specialized consulting firms. For pharmaceutical manufacturers, navigating this ecosystem to build effective patient support programs can be a complex and resource-intensive task.

By integrating eStrat, known for its strong client relationships and nuanced understanding of copay program design, Apollo Care aims to offer a single, streamlined platform. The stated goal is to enable faster program launches and more seamless execution, directly addressing a common pain point for pharmaceutical brand managers. This integration promises to bridge the often-siloed worlds of operational execution and high-level data analytics, creating a more cohesive and responsive system.

The strategic value lies in combining Apollo Care's robust technology infrastructure with eStrat's proven track record. Before the acquisition, eStrat had built a reputation for its meticulous approach to designing and managing affordability programs across numerous therapeutic areas. This expertise is now paired with Apollo Care’s platform, which is designed to innovate beyond what it calls "outdated industry practices" to optimize costs and improve patient outcomes.

Unpacking the 'Gross-to-Net' Promise

A key driver behind this acquisition is the promise of delivering significant "gross-to-net" (GtN) improvements for pharmaceutical clients. In the pharmaceutical industry, GtN represents the vast difference between a drug’s list price (gross revenue) and the actual revenue a manufacturer receives after accounting for a cascade of deductions, including rebates, chargebacks, and patient assistance programs.

This gap, often referred to as "revenue leakage," can amount to billions of dollars annually across the industry. Inefficiently managed copay assistance programs are a major contributor. While designed to help patients afford their medications, these programs can be exploited or poorly optimized, leading to unnecessary costs for the manufacturer.

The newly combined entity proposes a powerful solution to this challenge. By leveraging Apollo Care’s data analytics, manufacturers can gain real-time visibility into how their copay programs are performing. This data, when interpreted through the lens of eStrat’s design expertise, allows for the strategic optimization of these programs. The goal is to ensure that financial assistance effectively lowers the barrier to access for patients without creating undue financial drain on the manufacturer.

Furthermore, by making medications more affordable, effective copay programs are proven to increase patient adherence. When patients consistently fill their prescriptions, it not only leads to better health outcomes but also translates directly into more stable and predictable revenue streams for the manufacturer, thereby strengthening their net financial position.

The Talent Advantage: Acquiring Proven Leadership

Beyond the technology and client lists, the acquisition is also a significant talent acquisition. As part of the deal, Trond Waerness, the co-founder of eStrat, will join Apollo Care's leadership team. Waerness is not just an executive; he is a seasoned entrepreneur with approximately 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical commercialization space.

His background includes co-founding multiple successful pharma service companies focused on reducing prescription costs and a deep, long-standing expertise in designing and executing patient affordability strategies. Bringing Waerness into the fold ensures the continuity of eStrat's specialized knowledge and provides Apollo Care with a leader who has a proven track record of innovation and execution in this niche but critical field. His presence is expected to be instrumental in successfully integrating the two companies and driving future product strategy.

"This combination provides an exciting opportunity for our clients," Waerness stated. "With eStrat's trusted partnerships and Apollo Care's industry-leading technology and patient access solutions, we're positioned to drive meaningful impact for patients and deliver stronger results for our customers."

The Ripple Effect on Patient Affordability

Ultimately, the success of this merger will be measured by its impact on patients. The core mission of these integrated platforms is to untangle the web of financial and administrative barriers that prevent patients from accessing necessary treatments. For individuals facing a new diagnosis and a high-cost specialty medication, a well-run assistance program can be the deciding factor between starting therapy or abandoning it at the pharmacy counter.

By streamlining program execution and using data to make them more efficient, the combined Apollo Care and eStrat entity aims to make the process of securing financial assistance faster and more reliable for patients. The intended result is a reduction in out-of-pocket costs, which is a critical factor in improving medication adherence and, by extension, long-term health outcomes.

However, the broader healthcare landscape remains complex. Challenges such as the rise of copay accumulator and maximizer programs—which prevent manufacturer assistance from counting toward a patient's deductible—continue to shift costs back onto patients. While a more sophisticated and integrated platform can help manufacturers and patients navigate these obstacles more effectively, it cannot eliminate them entirely. As pharmaceutical companies continue to grapple with these systemic pressures, the ability of partners like the newly expanded Apollo Care to deliver tangible improvements in both patient access and financial performance will be under intense scrutiny.