Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates Enters Agreement with Frazier Healthcare Partners to Form United Digestive - Business Wire

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates (AGA), a provider of digestive healthcare services, announced today its partnership with Frazier Healthcare Partners, a leading healthcare private equity firm, to form United Digestive. Frazier is making a significant equity investment in United Digestive with a commitment to continue to support its aggressive and strategic growth initiatives.

Founded in 1976, AGA is one of the largest gastrointestinal (GI) practices in the U.S. with significant density in the Georgia market. AGA has grown to more than 60 locations throughout the state, including 14 endoscopy centers. Its team is comprised of more than 95 board-certified physicians, 42 advanced practice providers and more than 600 employees.

AGA offers a comprehensive slate of GI services, both adult and pediatric, and a full suite of ancillary services including infusion drug therapy, anesthesia, pathology, imaging and clinical trial services. The company also provides specialized services including advanced endoscopic therapies, liver disease treatments and multidisciplinary inflammatory bowel disease management.

“This partnership will allow our physicians to continue their dedication to quality medicine and to thrive in a competitive and rapidly evolving market,” said Dr. Steven J. Morris, co-founder and Managing Partner of AGA and Chief Medical Officer of United Digestive.

United Digestive provides a strong operational infrastructure for GI practices including regulatory assistance, managed care resources, and a full-service back-office that can be leveraged across a significantly larger geographic footprint. The company anticipates continued robust expansion through both near-term de-novo growth as well as complementary acquisitions and will bring operational best practices to additional GI practices while allowing providers to retain their clinical independence and a continued emphasis on high quality patient care.

“We are delighted to partner with AGA to establish one of the premier GI practice management companies in the United States,” said Mark Gilreath, a Frazier Operating Partner and newly appointed Chief Executive Officer for United Digestive. “We believe the AGA & United Digestive partnership is uniquely positioned to accelerate the company's growth and industry leadership.”

Nader Naini, Managing Partner at Frazier said, “In the highly fragmented GI market, small groups are under intensifying pressure. A commitment to providing the best clinical care along with resources and infrastructure to support the growth initiatives provided by United Digestive represents a model for future success.”

Dr. Morris added, “As a dedicated healthcare private equity firm with over 27 years of experience in the sector, Frazier has unique and extensive insights with provider-based companies among the many groups we considered. This partnership enables us to continue to focus on AGA’s more than 40-year commitment to making high-quality digestive healthcare both affordable and accessible to patients in our community.”

About Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates

Founded in 1976, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates (AGA) is one of the largest gastroenterology practices in the country dedicated to the detection and treatment of digestive and liver diseases, as well as colon cancer. With offices located throughout Metro Atlanta and North Georgia – including seven pediatric offices – its board-certified physicians are committed to offering accessible, comprehensive digestive healthcare for the whole family. For more information about AGA, visit www.atlantagastro.com.

About Frazier Healthcare Partners

Founded in 1991, Frazier Healthcare Partners is a leading provider of private equity capital to healthcare companies. With more than $4.2 billion assets under management, Frazier has invested in more than 170 companies with investment type ranging from company creation and venture capital to buyouts of profitable lower-middle market companies. Frazier has offices in Seattle, WA, and Menlo Park, CA, and invests broadly across the U.S., Canada and Europe. For more information about Frazier Healthcare Partners, visit www.frazierhealthcare.com.

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