UnitedHealth-backed Optum, a developer of a health care system, agreed to acquire EMIS, a provider of healthcare software and information technology services in the UK, for $1.5bn. The offer represents a 49% premium. "Optum UK is focused on helping the NHS work better for clinicians and patients, and believes that this combination with EMIS will bring ever more advanced technology solutions and capabilities to the NHS and general practitioners to improve patient care," Rob Sergeant, Optum UK CEO. On September 29, Britain's competition regulator cleared UnitedHealth Group's acquisition of EMIS.