Women’s Health Private Equity – Market Update

Despite ongoing global economic challenges and macroeconomic headwinds facing the healthcare industry, the women’s health sector continues to remain active as private equity continues to partner with and invest into practices building density in their core markets throughout 2023. The past four years have seen deal values resemble that of a roller coaster, with 15 deals in 2020, 8 in 2021, 14 in 2022, and 5 so far year-to-date in 2023, according to internal PGP data. Not surprisingly, women’s health deal activity in the trailing 24 month period has been dominated by three private equity firms, Atlas Partners (Unified Women’s Healthcare), Shore Capital Partners (Together Women’s Health), and BC Partners (Women’s Care Enterprises).

These strategic platforms continue to acquire practices, allowing them to build regional density and economies of scale in concentric markets such as the northeast, southeast, and southwest parts of the United States. In an area dominated by a small number of players however, there is still keen interest by private equity firms looking to enter the women’s health space by making their first platform investment. As new private equity firms enter the space, competition will increase for attractive women’s health practices in the marketplace, not only in areas where platforms already exist but also “between the coasts”, where there appears to be a lot of white space.

From a thesis perspective, investor appetite is bolstered by technological enhancements, an increasing need for services such as reproductive health, maternal health, and personalized medicines, and a specialty that hasn’t had the robust M&A seen in other specialties since the early onset of private equity investment in healthcare – dermatology, eye care, and dental – to name a few.

When evaluating a potential private equity partner, it is critical to consider cultural fit, as well as value, as strategy differs highly from platform to platform. Key aspects such as clinical autonomy, integration, management fees, and governance must be considered to ensure a strong go-forward partnership.

Although some platforms nearing the end of their holding period have begun to emphasize organic growth and integration, the majority of platforms have begun to focus on building current market density, resulting in heavy M&A activity. As platform ownership has changed hands in the past year and new private equity funds have entered the fold, there has been a major infusion of new capital into the marketplace. This means there is ample dry powder in the space and heavy competition to continue to acquire existing practices.

In addition to the increased competition from an investor perspective, tailwinds exist from a basic supply of clinical treatment standpoint, with common GI procedures such as colonoscopies, endoscopy exams, polypectomies, and hemorrhoid treatments now being delivered in the outpatient setting. As in other specialties such as eye care, musculoskeletal care and skin care, to name a few, patients generally prefer to receive care in the outpatient setting, and the demand for outpatient services is expected to continue growing year over year.

Overall, the market outlook in the GI space remains strong and private equity partnerships continue to be an attractive option for physician owners looking to achieve their goals and succession plans. Although some markets have become consolidated, there are still many areas of the country where GI practices have not been touched by private equity. This ample whitespace in gastroenterology and the large amount of dry powder in the market will continue to drive acquisitions and the formation of new GI platforms in the near future.

When evaluating a potential private equity partner, it is critical to consider cultural fit, as well as value, as strategy differs highly from platform to platform. Key aspects such as clinical autonomy, integration, management fees, and governance must be considered to ensure a strong go-forward partnership.

RECENT WOMEN’S HEALTH TRANSACTIONS

About Our Firm

Physician Growth Partners (PGP) is a transaction advisory firm working exclusively with independent physician groups in transactions with private equity.

Differentiated Healthcare Transaction Advisors:

• Senior partner involvement at every stage of the process
• Extensive physician practice transaction experience
• Unmatched relationships with all key private equity and strategic buyers interested in women’s health
• Educational approach focusing on both partnership and cultural fit, while simultaneously achieving a market clearing valuation