Health care M&A spending grows in 2nd-qtr 2013, says Irving Levin

Health care merger and acquisition activity strengthened in the second quarter of 2013. (View full video: http://www.levinassociates.com/pr2013/pr1307mamq2.) Deal volume was up 10% versus the previous quarter, with 223 deals announced, according to Irving Levin Associates.

However, the quarter underperformed (-15%) in comparison with the same quarter a year ago, according to The Health Care M&A Report. Deal value rose significantly compared with the previous quarter. The preliminary total for health care M&A activity in the second quarter is $52.6 billion, up nearly 252%, compared with the $14.9 billion spent in the first quarter of 2013. Deal value held steady compared with the second quarter of 2012, when buyers committed $52.3 billion.

The Biotechnology sector experienced a strong rebound, up 55%, with 17 deals announced in the second quarter. 11 transactions were initiated by other biotech companies, and five acquirers were pharmaceutical companies hoping to bolster their product pipelines. One private equity firm, Ares Life Sciences, purchased a biotech company, Antigen Laboratories.