In 2022, corporate healthcare deal activity experienced a decline due to companies exercising caution in the face of uncertainties within debt and equity markets. While the provider sector saw an increase in deal value, the pharmaceutical, payer, and medical technology sectors observed a decrease in total deal value.

Despite this pause in deal-making, strong corporate deal activity is expected to rebound throughout the rest of 2023 and into 2024, particularly in the pharmaceutical and medical technology segments. The potential for growth and the patent cliff in biopharma make these sectors promising candidates for future M&A.

Healthcare Private Equity Resilience:

Historically, healthcare private equity has exhibited resilience during economic downturns, often yielding compelling returns. However, the current macroeconomic landscape presents unique challenges, including inflationary pressures and credit constraints. The healthcare private equity sector is navigating these challenges, with a specific focus on the provider space, where the impact is most pronounced.

Shortchanged Patients and Market Consolidation:

The concerns surrounding private equity’s financial incentives and their potential impact on patients, market consolidation, and care costs are a hot topic. Expert panelists have discussed studies that indicate the adverse effects of private equity ownership in certain healthcare sectors. Concerns extend to issues such as short-term mortality rates, patient well-being, and operational changes that may not align with patient interests. The potential for market consolidation due to private equity investments has also been explored, raising concerns about antitrust issues and market power.

Private Equity Benefits and Challenges:

While concerns exist, panelists also recognize the potential benefits of private equity investments in healthcare. These include access to growth capital for innovation, scalability of businesses, and the ability to enhance efficiency. However, these advantages must be weighed against potential downsides, including negative patient outcomes and antitrust considerations.

Regulatory Considerations:

The discussion points to regulatory considerations, including the need for increased ownership transparency in healthcare-related private equity operations. The complexity of ownership structures in private equity ventures has led to calls for more transparency, especially in industries like nursing homes.

Conclusion:

As the healthcare landscape evolves, private equity’s role in the sector is under scrutiny. While private equity has shown resilience and potential benefits, concerns about patient care and market dynamics persist. Policymakers are urged to carefully evaluate the effects of private equity investments on patient outcomes, market competition, and regulatory frameworks.

Acknowledgments 

This report has been comprised using several reports, articles, and research that has been conducted and written in 2023. All data is accurate as of publication.

Sources used:

• Bain and Company
• BMJ
• Bakertilly
• Private Equity International

Raw Selection favors a meticulous approach to talent research. Our process for selecting the right talent means we can boast a 100% success rate for all our retained and engaged C-Suite clients, with 96% of placed candidates still in their roles after 12 months.