FULL YEAR 2011 TRENDS REPORTS - HEALTHCARE M&A

These managing director quotes pertain to our Pharma & Healthcare Industry report:

 “In 2011, M&A-driven expansion of strategic healthcare technology and information platforms by major players, some private equity-backed, continued as a dominant trend, stated Jeffrey Smith, Managing Director in Berkery Noyes’ Healthcare and Life Sciences group. “This trend will continue in 2012, offering an active market, competitive sales processes, and excellent valuation opportunities for independently-owned companies providing software, information, data, communications and services solutions to the healthcare and life science industries.”

“The healthcare information and technology (“HIT”) mergers and acquisitions market was robust in 2011 as buyers looked to acquire rapidly growing companies, principally software enabled solutions (SaaS and Cloud enabled), in highly attractive niches to accelerate their own growth and offer fuller suites of world class products to the dynamic and growing healthcare marketplace,” said Tom O'Connor, Managing Director in Berkery Noyes’ Healthcare and Life Sciences group. “In 2012, we expect to see an increased deal flow and attractive prices for sellers from both strategic and financial buyers, but strategic buyers, like in 2011, will dominate the buyer universe.”

According to Jonathan Krieger, Managing Director in Berkery Noyes’ Healthcare and Life Sciences group, “the number of HIT transactions increased for the 3rd consecutive year and valuation multiples continued to rise. The enactment of the HITECH Act has catalyzed the adoption of IT by both payors and providers and has resulted in a very favorable M&A market for private companies that wish to pursue liquidity events.”