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Strong Momentum in Healthcare:
Trends in Mergers and Acquisitions
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OVERVIEW
Silicon Valley Bank, financial partner to technology and life science companies and their investors worldwide, publishes an
annual healthcare report that examines the merger and acquisition behavior of private, venture capital-backed biotech and
medical device companies.
Among the findings:
• 38 Big Exits in 2012 -- 8 year high
• Estimated $16 billion in payouts to investors in private Big Exit M&A in last three years
• 44% of achievable milestones hit in structured biotech and device deals
Based on an analysis of private merger or acquisition transactions of U.S.-based, venture capital-backed companies between
2005 and 2012, Silicon Valley Bank found continued growth in the number of “Big Exits” among biotech, healthcare services
and medical device companies. Big Exits were defined as acquisitions where the upfront payment totaled in excess of $50
million for device and service companies and $75 million for biotech companies.
“For the second year in a row, we saw the most VC-backed big exits in healthcare, generating significant liquidity,” said
Jonathan Norris, Managing Director with Silicon Valley Bank and author of the report. “We think strong M&A numbers will
continue in 2013. Coupled with an impending decrease in venture capital investment in the healthcare sector and a strong
biotech IPO market, we expect positive future returns for firms that have capital to deploy.”
The study reveals that despite the strong environment for big exits, healthcare Series A investment is on the
decline. Investment is substantially down in medical device Series A year over year; however, biotech stays steady during that
time, in large part due to the significant investing activity of corporate venture capital in 2012. Corporate Venture was part of
the investor syndicate in 30% of all biotech Series A equity financings last year, twice that of previous two years signaling
corporate interest in this sector.
Silicon Valley Bank works with 50 percent of healthcare-focused venture capital firms and venture-backed companies
nationwide, specializing in biotech, medical device and healthcare services.

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SVB Analytics
555 Mission Street, Suite 900
San Francisco, California 94105
800.760.9644
svb.com
This material, including without limitation the statistical information herein, is provided for informational purposes only. The material is based in part upon
information from third-party sources that we believe to be reliable, but which has not been independently verified by us and, as such, we do not
represent that the information is accurate or complete. The information should not be viewed as tax, investment, legal or other advice nor is it to be relied
on in making an investment or other decision. You should obtain relevant and specific professional advice before making any investment decision.
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