Stryker Corp. Makes Seventh Acquisition in 2016

by | Sep 9, 2016 3:23 pm | Medical Devices

Mergers and acquisitions in the medical device segment has been a bit sluggish this year. Even with two deals announced on September 1, marking 79th and 80th sector transactions in 2016, there is a lot of ground to make up to match the 114 deals announced in 2015. Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) announced its seventh acquisition this year, paying an undisclosed amount for Ivy Sports Medicine, LLC. Ivy Sports Medicine provides medicine therapies for orthopedic surgeons and patients through its comprehensive minimally invasive meniscal repair platform. It includes the only FDA-approved collagen meniscus implant (CMI®) on the market. Ivy’s history and sole focus on advancing the... Read More »

Danaher Doubles Down on Blood Diagnostics

by | Sep 9, 2016 3:08 pm | Biotechnology

Danaher Corporation (NASDAQ: DHR) has set a new direction for itself, after spinning off its Test & Measurement segment, Industrial Technologies segment and its Retail/Commercial Petroleum platform into Fortive Corporation (NYSE: FTV) on July 2. Post-separation, the company is positioned as a global science and technology  innovator with more than 20 operating companies in the health care, environmental and industrial industries. In September, Danaher announced its acquisition of Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD ) for $3.9 billion, or $53.00 per share. The consideration represents approximately a 54% percent premium to Cepheid’s common stock over the closing price of $34.42 on September 2,... Read More »

The State of the Medical Marijuana Market

by | Sep 8, 2016 1:08 pm | Pharmaceuticals

In the 1960s and 70s, pot smokers were warned that marijuana could cause schizophrenia, among other mental disorders. Today, it’s lawmakers and government officials who exhibit symptoms of that condition. On August 11, 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that it would allow more research into marijuana, and would expand the number of sites that can grow cannabis for research. At the same time, the agency rejected requests from several sectors, including The Epilepsy Foundation, that it relax the classification of cannabis from Schedule 1, as a dangerous, highly addictive drug with no medical use. Bummer, man. Today, 25 states have a medical or recreational cannabis... Read More »

Radiopharmacies Now on Dealmakers’ Radar

by | Sep 7, 2016 8:50 am | Other Services, Private Equity

You can’t get much more “specialty” in the specialty pharmacy business than to deal in radiopharmaceuticals. Two recent deals, announced in August, show this area is heating up. IBA Molecular, a global maker and distributor of radiopharmaceutical products, agreed to pay approximately $613 million for Mallinckrodt’s (NYSE: MNK) nuclear imaging business, including a portfolio of diagnostic imaging products. The U.S. market accounts for approximately two thirds of the division’s current annual revenues. For Mallinckrodt, the sale continues its strategic portfolio transformation, as the company evolves to handle specialty pharmaceuticals that don’t glow. IBA... Read More »