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Venture Healthcare Market Entering Important Phase as Companies Must Secure New Financing or Face Tough Consequences

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HSBC's Venture Healthcare Report: Shake It Off? analyzes the venture healthcare market in 2024, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. The report reveals:

1. Biopharma saw increased investment, with 51 $100M+ financings in 1H 2024.

2. Healthtech experienced a surge in earlier-stage deals after a decline in 2023.

3. Medical Devices maintained stable investment with a surge in first-financing deals.

4. DX/Tools faced challenges but saw growth investors participating in high-value financings.

The report emphasizes the need for companies to secure new lead investors or consider consolidation/shutdown if relying on dwindling insider-round cash. HSBC Innovation Banking's global teams continue to support the life science and healthcare ecosystem with specialized expertise.

Positive
  • Biopharma investment doubled 2023 first-financing pace and was up 35% overall in 1H 2024
  • 51 $100M+ biopharma financings in 1H 2024, with 30 adding new crossover investors
  • Healthtech deal activity rose each quarter in 1H 2024
  • Medical Devices saw a surge in first-financing deals and dollars in 2Q 2024
  • DX/Tools companies with initial commercialization attracted growth investors in 6 high-value financings
Negative
  • Companies with dwindling insider-round cash may face consolidation or shutdown
  • DX/Tools first-financing investment continued to decline in 1H 2024
  • Private M&A in Medical Devices and DX/Tools sectors has been weak in 2024
  • Some companies with high valuations from 2020-2021 are experiencing flat or down rounds
  • Closed IPO market and difficulty finding Series B investors in DX/Tools sector

Insights

The venture healthcare market is undergoing a volatile phase, with companies needing fresh capital to stay afloat. The emphasis on securing new financing highlights the precarious nature of these companies' current financial health. $100M+ biopharma financings and step-up valuations indicate investor confidence in specific niches despite broader market challenges.

Short-term, investors can expect continued volatility, with some companies potentially facing consolidation or shutdowns. The success of future investments will hinge on whether companies can achieve key value creation milestones to justify new rounds of funding.

Long-term implications include potential growth for firms that secure new, well-timed investments and the possibility of a stronger market re-emergence if these investments lead to significant advancements. However, the dependence on M&A and IPOs to drive returns could introduce additional risks if market conditions don't improve.

The distinction in investment trends across different sectors within the healthcare market sheds light on where future growth opportunities might lie. Biopharma continues to receive substantial investments, largely driven by successful venture spin-outs and management teams. This indicates a high investor confidence in sectors with established exit strategies like M&A and IPOs.

Meanwhile, healthtech shows resurgence with earlier-stage deals gaining traction, driven by improved financial prudence and capital-efficient models. This shift suggests a more sustainable growth approach over the 'growth at all costs' mentality previously seen.

While medical devices maintain stable investment, the notable increase in first-financing deals and median pre-money valuations is promising. However, the faltering private M&A market could be a red flag, potentially affecting exit opportunities and valuation stability.

HSBC’s Venture Healthcare Report: Shake It Off? explores whether companies can, in the words of Taylor Swift, “shake it off” and rebound from what has been a difficult financing and exit market

  • 2023 was a year of triage as venture healthcare companies closed insider rounds and focused on existing portfolios, leading to a slower investment pace
  • The first half of 2024 did have green shoots with increased investment across every sector, with more new investor-led financings, many at up-rounds
  • Companies on dwindling on insider-round cash will need to find new lead investors or consider consolidation and/or shutdown

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The downturn in the venture healthcare market has extended into 2024, yet many healthcare companies still secured new investment rounds at robust step-up valuations, with potential M&A and IPO opportunities, according to HSBC’s Venture Healthcare Report: Shake It Off? Conversely, companies with dwindling insider round cash will need to find new lead investors or consider consolidation and/or shutdown.

“Some companies continue to raise large rounds even in the down market, but the key question in 2024 is whether the prevalent insider rounds from 2022 and 2023 will provide enough runway for companies to reach a value-creation event that justifies new investment,” said Lead Author and Managing Director Jonathan Norris. “Most VCs possess substantial new capital available for new investments, and growth investors have become active once again.”

Biopharma

Helped by opportunistic IPOs and a strong private M&A market, biopharma was the bright spot for investment dollars in 1H 2024. Investment doubled 2023 first-financing investment pace and was up 35% overall. Digging deeper, while dollars are up, the number of deals in first-financing actually declined, meaning fewer deals got more money. Many of these deals were venture spin-outs or led by management teams just off successful exits. Overall, there were 51 $100M+ biopharma financings in 1H 2024, with thirty adding a new crossover investor to their syndicate. Southern California emerged as the leader in $100M+ deals at 12, beating Massachusetts (11 deals) and Northern California (9). ​

Healthtech

In 2023, Healthtech investments significantly declined. The trend reversed in 1H 2024, with deal activity rising each quarter. The high volume of insider bridges and round extensions decreased as investors completed their triage and started to rebuild their portfolio by funding new deals. Although investments took longer to finalize, Healthtech experienced a surge in earlier-stage deals, where valuation overhang is less problematic. For later-stage financing, the growth at all costs approach of previous years has evolved. Companies that secured new investors in 1H 2024 were largely ones that demonstrated additional growth potential, adopted capital-efficient models, and significantly reduced burn.

Medical Devices

Med device continued its stable pace of investment, however, there was a surge in first-financing deals and dollars in 2Q 2024, led by strong venture capital syndicates and corporate support. We also noted more PMA focused early-stage investment, especially in neurology. Pivotal trial funding and commercialization for 510(k) cleared products continued to find a combination of VC, growth, crossovers and corporates. Med device had the most down-rounds in 2023, especially in Series B and later rounds, but in 1H 2024 median step-ups for later-stage deals remained above 1x while median pre-money valuations increased across the board. Stable investment, plus good M&A in 2023, positioned med device for strong M&A in 2024, but so far private M&A has fallen flat, with just two notable private M&A deals. ​

DX/Tools

Dx/tools first-financing investment continued its 2H 2023 slide in 1H 2024, down significantly from the previous three years. Investors felt the pressure of a closed IPO market and the fear of finding a series B investor that can bridge to the growth round. However, companies that got to initial commercialization have found that growth investors have come back, participating in six of the highest valued financings in 1H 2024. Valuations for early stage have remained strong, however companies with heady valuations from 2020-2021 are finding flat or down rounds. Private M&A continues to falter. So far in 2024, we have noted just two private M&A deals over $50M upfront.

The HSBC Venture Healthcare Report was written and produced by HSBC Innovation Banking’s Life Science and Healthcare Team, which serves the innovation economy by providing products and solutions to early and growth-stage companies.

“The first half of 2024 provided real glimmers of hope with increased investment across every sector and numerous investor-led financings,” said Katherine Andersen, Head of Life Science and Healthcare, HSBC Innovation Banking. “Our mid-year report takes a deep dive into investment and exit activity, supported by our team’s deep-sector expertise, historical perspectives and data-informed predictions. We are committed to the life science and healthcare ecosystem globally and best serving our clients with our industry knowledge and the strength and stability of HSBC’s global platform.”

HSBC Innovation Banking in the U.S. includes a team of industry veterans and dedicated bankers with deep sector expertise assembled across the country. HSBC Innovation Banking also has teams in the UK, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong to deliver a globally-connected, specialized banking expertise to support a broad range of innovation businesses and their investors.

About HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 62 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,0001bn at 31 March 2024, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, Private Banking, Global Banking, and Markets and Securities Services. Deposit products are offered by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Member FDIC. It operates Wealth Centers in: California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; New Jersey; New York; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc.

For more information, visit: HSBC in the USA

DISCLAIMER

This material has been prepared and provided to you by members of the Commercial Corporate Banking business of HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HBUS” or “we”). HSBC Innovation Banking is a business division with services provided in the United States by HBUS.

Information is for discussion purposes only. We will not be liable for any liabilities arising under or in connection with the use of, or any reliance on, this document or the information contained within it. Materials have been prepared without regard to your particular need, investment objectives, financial situation, or means.

We do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Accordingly, you should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from your independent advisors.

Any information contained in this material is not and should not be regarded as investment research, debt research, or derivatives research for the purposes of the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the SEC, FINRA, the CFTC or any other relevant regulatory body. It has not been prepared in accordance with regulatory requirements to promote the independence of investment research. Any opinions in this material are the opinions of the author and may be changed at any time without notice. Opinions expressed in this material may differ from the opinions expressed by other divisions of the HSBC Group, including its research department and corresponding research reports.

Media enquiries to:

Matt Kozar

Vice President, External Communications

matt.kozar@us.hsbc.com

Source: HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

FAQ

What were the key findings of HSBC's Venture Healthcare Report for 2024?

HSBC's report highlighted increased investment in Biopharma, a surge in earlier-stage Healthtech deals, stable investment in Medical Devices, and challenges in DX/Tools sector. It emphasized the need for companies to secure new lead investors or face potential consolidation or shutdown.

How many $100M+ biopharma financings occurred in the first half of 2024 according to HSBC's report?

According to HSBC's Venture Healthcare Report, there were 51 $100M+ biopharma financings in the first half of 2024, with 30 of these deals adding a new crossover investor to their syndicate.

What trends did HSBC observe in the Healthtech sector for 2024?

HSBC's report noted that after a significant decline in 2023, Healthtech investments reversed trend in 1H 2024, with deal activity rising each quarter. There was a surge in earlier-stage deals, and companies securing new investors demonstrated growth potential and adopted capital-efficient models.

How did the Medical Devices sector perform in 2024 according to HSBC's report?

HSBC's report indicated that the Medical Devices sector maintained a stable pace of investment in 2024, with a surge in first-financing deals and dollars in Q2. The sector saw more PMA focused early-stage investment, especially in neurology, and median pre-money valuations increased across the board.

What challenges did HSBC identify for the DX/Tools sector in their 2024 report?

HSBC's report highlighted that the DX/Tools sector faced challenges including a continued decline in first-financing investment, pressure from a closed IPO market, and difficulty finding Series B investors. However, companies that reached initial commercialization attracted growth investors in high-value financings.

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