Athenahealth fields multiple bids, but offers not much higher than current stock price, sources say

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Athenahealth has received multiple takeover bids, sources tell CNBC.

The bids are not seen as being far above the stock price of $131 before the latest news, but the Athenahealth board is motivated to get a deal done, the sources said. Interest is coming from two private equity firms and one strategic buyer, the sources said.

Paul Singer’s Elliott Management previously had bid $160 a share for the health-care software maker in an all-cash unsolicited offer. That put pressure on the company to consider strategic options. Jonathan Bush stepped down as CEO in June.

Athenahealth initiated a strategic review in June and said it would consider a sale or merger or remaining as an independent company.

Shares of Athenahealth rose 2.3 percent on Thursday.

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