AFP, NEW YORKThe US health insurer Cigna Corp is free to leave a proposed merger with Anthem Inc, with a judge declining a request for a preliminary injunction to block the exit. The Delaware Court of Chancery has rejected Anthem’s request to stop Cigna from terminating the deal between the health insurance titans, which a federal court has blocked on antitrust concerns. The judge did stay the ruling’s implementation until Monday, allowing Anthem to decide whether to appeal. Cigna had initially been favorable to Anthem’s takeover plan, a US$54 billion merger that would have created the largest US health insurer. Cigna has also filed suit against Anthem demanding a US$1.85 billion breakup fee plus more than US$13 billion in additional damages.

Source: Taipei Times May 12, 2017 17:56 UTC