Banker Insights: Life Science Consulting

life science consulting

healthcare transactions

Market Dynamics Lead to Explosion in Life Science Consulting M&A

Commentary:

  • Outsourced life science services providers have attracted enormous interest from private equity and strategic investors in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. This surge in interest is a result of the ever-increasing complexity surrounding drug discovery and development (e.g., real-world evidence (RWE), genomics, mRNA), combined with a continually changing regulatory environment, which has further highlighted the demand for medical affairs professionals who can add value to the commercialization process. In addition, the COVID-19 global pandemic necessitated an increase in investment in R&D activities, as well as domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, by life science companies. As a result, outsourced life science consulting companies have experienced a significant increase in demand for services. These market dynamics are driving industry-wide attention from both private equity and strategic investors.
  • Key areas of interest include traditional pharmaceutical service providers such as contract research organizations, contract development and manufacturing organizations, companies providing pharmacovigilance, and third-party logistics providers, as well as newer breeds of specialized service providers, including those with a focus on specialty genomic therapeutics.
  • The pharmaceutical industry has experienced a shift in focus from traditional drugs intended to impact a broad patient population to specialized and precision medicines for a narrow and diverse target patient population. The development of these specialty drugs is primarily led by small-to-medium-sized life science companies that often require a greater degree of outsourced support from specific vendors.
  • M&A activity in the life science consulting industry has continued to remain strong since 2021. Healthy margins and low systemic risk make attractive targets for private equity and strategic investors. Over the past few years, transaction multiples for outsourced life science companies have steadily increased, reaching healthy low-to-mid teens EBITDA multiples, representing higher valuations than the overall market, reflecting strong interest in the industry’s potential for growth in the future.
  • Going forward, we anticipate continued strong private equity and strategic interest in the space as the growing demand for services across the entire lifecycle, coupled with a highly fragmented industry, provides ample opportunity for continued M&A activity.

For more information or questions, please contact the Healthcare Services team:

Paul Kacik, Managing Director: pkacik@hexagoncapitalalliance.com

Brad Erhart, Director: berhart@hexagoncapitalalliance.com

Daren Oddenino, Director: [email protected]

Banker Insights: Medical Spa

Medical Spa

healthcare transactions

Growing Medical Spa Market is Primed for Investment and M&A Consolidation

  • The Medical Spa market is attracting significant investor interest with an astounding projected CAGR of ~15% through 2030, high profit margins, and service line expansion. The sector is continuing to provide a wider variety of treatments available at price points appealing to a broader patient base. The highly fragmented industry is a ripe opportunity for consolidation by institutional investors and strategic buyers.
  • Beyond providing a broader service offering, patient demand and demographics (young and middle-age patients) are currently providing exceptional recurring revenues with repeat patient visits representing ~65% of visits. There is also an exceptional market opportunity that is largely untapped amongst men as they currently represent only 12% of Medical Spa patient population.
  • The sector also maintains positive reimbursement characteristics with essentially no exposure to both commercial and government payors. Many providers also see additional runway for further service line expansion across medical and non-medical treatments (e.g., Bio-stimulatory treatments, massages, and acupuncture), as technology advancements expand treatments, and more locations vertically integrate services.
  • And while the sector has many positive tailwinds supporting its growth, we do see a challenge through present and potential regulatory requirements and oversight. Corporate practice of medicine and non-physician provider supervision and regulation are likely to increase given the growth, which will require operators to adapt and be nimble in order to comply as more states impose greater regulations.
  • M&A and Private Placement activity in the Medical Spa sector is light relative to other sectors. However, with the sector’s continued growth, it has exhibited an increased velocity with the number of completed transactions doubling annually since 2021. As the sector continues to mature, transaction volume and values are expected to increase and achieve premium values.
  • Going forward, we anticipate growing private equity investment and interest in the space as the sector’s resiliency, growing market opportunity, and fragmentation provide elements that allow private equity to consolidate.

For more information or questions, please contact the Healthcare Services team:

Paul Kacik, Managing Director: pkacik@hexagoncapitalalliance.com

Brad Erhart, Director: berhart@hexagoncapitalalliance.com

Daren Oddenino, Director: [email protected]