Scintilla Goes Deep into Pain Management

by | Aug 16, 2016 7:46 pm | Pharmaceuticals, Private Equity

Scintilla Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Sorrento Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: SRNE), is spending up to $270 million to expand its pain management pipeline. On August 8, Scintilla announced its purchase of SCILEX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for an upfront payment of $70 million. Scilex’s lead product candidate, ZTildo™ (lidocaine patch 1.8%) is being developed for the treatment of intractable cancer pain. In July 2015, SCILEX filed a new drug application (NDA) for ZTildo™, and is planning an NDA re-submission for a potential FDA action date in mid-2017. SCILEX’ product pipeline includes line extensions of ZTildo™ as well as other novel patch technologies in development. The patch... Read More »

Patient Experience Data Draws Big Money

by | Aug 12, 2016 1:49 pm | Other Services, Private Equity

EQT, a Swedish private equity firm with approximately €30 billion in raised capital, announced it was taking Press Ganey Holdings (NYSE: PGND) private with a purchase price of $2.35 billion, or $40.50 a share. Press Ganey made its mark by offering patient experience solutions to measure and analyze data collected directly from patients, including patient experience insights measured through several electronic modes; and caregiver engagement solutions comprising physician, nurse and, employee alignment and engagement solutions. It also provides clinical and quality solutions, such as Nursing Quality Indicators, a program that collects data on a set of nursing-sensitive process, structure,... Read More »

First Half of 2016 Shows Strength in M&A

by | Aug 11, 2016 7:53 pm | Biotechnology, eHealth, Long-Term Care, Pharmaceuticals, Private Equity

Ever since the rally in health care mergers and acquisitions began in 2014, we’ve been waiting for the inevitable slam-on-the-brakes quarter. That rally was sparked by the advent of newly insured families and individuals entering the healthcare market, beginning on January 1, 2014. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, health care M&A topped 1,000 transactions that year and has never looked back. Isn’t it about time for the party to end? Not according to our data for the first six months of 2016, compared with the same period in 2014 and 2015. (But if you read our monthly M&A roundup on page 18, you may have second thoughts.) In the first half of 2016, deal volume... Read More »