Life Sciences Funding in View & 2024 Outlook
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Life Sciences Funding in View & 2024 Outlook JANUARY 2024
Life Sciences Funding In View & 2024 Outlook
Key Findings Global life sciences venture capital funding has reverted to its pre-pandemic long-term trend. Peak pandemic funding and initial public offering activity in 2020 and 2021 resulted in the creation of many new life sciences companies. Some of these companies faced several hurdles in 2023, including a challenging fundraising environment, higher interest rates and economic uncertainty. Heading into 2024, some of this uncertainty will likely remain, however, companies are now adept at navigating a more challenging landscape. Developing strategies to operate lean in a capital-constrained environment will continue to be an important tool in 2024, as investors remain cautious with their allocations.
• Global life sciences venture capital (VC) and initial public offering (IPO) volume fell in 2023. The outlook for 2024 is flat for VC funding, as investors tighten their underwriting guidelines. IPO activity is expected to increase since many companies waited out the uncertainty of 2023. • Successful clinical trials will continue to be an important barometer for both VC and IPO investment. • 2023 was a banner year for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and 2024 is expected to be more of the same as companies look for innovative strategies to bring their products to market faster and more efficiently. • 2024 will be a pivotal year for the U.S. life sciences commercial real estate (CRE) sector. Softening fundamentals coupled with historic levels of new inventory will provide a tenant-friendly market in the near term.
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Venture Capital
Global
Some countries saw increased life sciences VC activity in 2023. Canada’s $3 billion VC funding volume was nearly five times higher YOY, buoyed by the Aspect Biosystems $2.7 billion raised in a later stage round 6 funding from Novo Nordisk. The Netherlands’ full -year volume of $499 million was 20% higher YOY, driven by a strong fourth quarter of $223 million, which was four times higher than the fourth quarter of 2022. Spain saw volume increase to $261 million, up 9% YOY, with a 59% YOY increase in the fourth quarter ($132 million). The list of the top 10 global deals in 2023 is dominated by U.S. companies headquartered in Northern California and the Boston market. However, the top spot belongs to Vancouver-based Aspect Biosystems’s $2.7 billion deal. The second spot belongs to Shanghai-based Ailomics Therapeutics, a startup that raised an impressive $859 million in its first round of funding.
The global VC market had another down year in 2023, which impacted funding to the life sciences sector. In 2023, global life sciences VC funding totaled $45 billion, -24% year-over-year (YOY), a pullback led by regional declines in APAC at $8 billion (-43% YOY), North America at $29 billion (-20% YOY) and Europe at $7 billion (-7% YOY) 1 . Life sciences VC funding performed better than overall VC funding, which fell 38% YOY globally. On a regional basis, the overall VC funding fall was steeper than life sciences in North America (-32% YOY) and Europe (-44% YOY), but performance was better in APAC (-41% YOY). Most countries with a major life sciences sector experienced decreased VC activity. In the U.S., the largest life sciences market, VC funding fell to $26 billion (-28% YOY). Other major global markets also experienced a decline: China’s VC volume fell to $7 billion (-40% YOY); UK volume dropped to $2 billion, (- 11% YOY); and France’s deal volume slowed slightly to $1 billion, (-3% YOY).
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2023 Global VC Funding
Funding by Region
APAC Europe North America
$100
$90
$80
$70
$49.4
$60
$50
$Billions
$37.5
$40
$36.5
$11.8
$30
$29.4
$28.1
$25.2
$27.3
$20
$8.3
$20.7
$7.2
$15.1
$14.8
$15.9
$6.7
$5.4
$10
$5.9
$13.8
$11.9
$4.7 $3.4
$3.1
$8.1
$3.8
$7.9
$7.4
$3.2
$0
$1.0 2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
2023 VC Funding by Country
Off Chart $25,909 $35,979
China United States
$6,774
$3,303
UK Canada
$2,115
$1,147
South Korea Belgium Netherlands Switzerland France
$786
$499
$363
$345
$321
Singapore Spain Japan Germany
$272
$261
$258
$129
Ireland India
2023 2022
$125
$111
Italy
$0 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000 $8,000 $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 $16,000
$ Millions
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
2023 Global IPO Activity
IPO Activity by Region
APAC Europe North America
$30
$25
$14.6
$20
$16.6
$15
$0.2
$13.6
$Billions
$9.2 $0.7 $1.5
$0.6 $1.7
$10
$6.4
$8.7
$8.1 $0.2
$6.1
$5
$5.0
$3.2
$4.1 $0.2
$3.8
$1.7 $0.2 $2.6
$2.6 $0.4
$2.5 $0.0
$3.2
$0.6
$0
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
Top 10 Global VC Deals 2023
Deal Size (USD millions)
Current Business Status
Companies
Deal Date
VC Round Series Primary Industry
Deal Type HQ Location
Aspect Biosystems
12-Apr-2023
$2,700
6th Round
Biotechnology
Generating Revenue
Later Stage VC Vancouver, Canada
Ailomics Therapeutics 31-May-2023
$859
1st Round
Drug Discovery
Startup
Seed Round
Shanghai, China
Kriya Therapeutics
26-Jul-2023
$430
3rd Round Series C Drug Discovery
Generating Revenue
Later Stage VC Redwood City, CA
ElevateBio
24-May-2023
$401
4th Round Series D Biotechnology
Generating Revenue
Later Stage VC Waltham, MA
Neuralink
22-Nov-2023
$323
4th Round Series D Therapeutic Devices
Generating Revenue
Later Stage VC Fremont, CA
Cardurion Pharma
12-Jul-2023
$300
3rd Round Series A Biotechnology
Pre-Clinical Trials
Later Stage VC Burlington, MA
ReNAgade Therapeutics
23-May-2023
$300
2nd Round Series A Therapeutic Devices
Startup
Early Stage VC Cambridge, MA
Metagenomi (NAS: MGX)
05-Jan-2023
$275
4th Round Series B Drug Discovery
Pre-Clinical Trials
Later Stage VC Emeryville, CA
Generate Biomedicines
06-Sep-2023
$273
3rd Round Series C Biotechnology
Clinical Trials - Phase 1
Later Stage VC Cambridge, MA
Orbital Therapeutics 26-Apr-2023
$270
2nd Round Series A Discovery Tools (Healthcare) Startup
Early Stage VC Cambridge, MA
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
Venture Capital
United States
2023 Total U.S. Life Sciences VC Funding
Coming off a funding decline in 2022, the U.S. life sciences sector began 2023 with cautious optimism. However, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank in the first quarter brought funding to a near standstill as the VC market evaluated the implications. Deals continued to be funded throughout the year, and the market saw a marked uptick in activity in the third quarter. However, this momentum fizzled in the fourth quarter, with deal volume down 34% quarter-over- quarter (QOQ) and down 28% YOY from fourth quarter of 2022 levels. Volume fell across all deal types, but it’s evident that investors favored later stage companies, with nearly $14 billion in deals (-16% YOY), accounting for 53% of all 2023 funding. Early-stage companies saw a significant decrease in funding in 2023, with just over $10 billion (-39% YOY). Slower funding impacted most industries, with drug discovery companies receiving $12 billion, (-23% YOY), comprising the largest share of funding, at 46% of total 2023 commitments. The next-largest segment, biotechnology companies, had a steeper drop, receiving over $6 billion (-44% YOY) and comprising 25% of 2023 volume. A few industries saw an uptick in volume in 2023, including discovery tools at $880 million (+3% YOY), pharmaceuticals at $187 million (+16% YOY), and therapeutic devices with over $1 billion in funding, which exceeded both 2022 (+83% YOY) and 2021 (+20%).
$60
$50
$48.2
$40
$36.4
$36.0
$30
$27.5
$25.9
$Billions
$24.7
$20
$20.0
$14.3 $14.8
$10
$11.7
$0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES SEPTEMBER 2023
U.S. Funding by Deal Type and Industry
U.S. Funding by Deal Type
U.S. Funding by Top 10 Industries, in $Billions
$60
2023
$12
$6
$3
$50
$40
2022
$16
$11
$3
$23
$30
$16
$18
2021
$25
$10
$5
$20 $Billions
$14
$21
$10
$17
2020
$17
$10
$3
$14
$10
$0
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
2020
2021
2022
2023
Accelerator/ Incubator
Angel
Drug Discovery
Biotechnology
Other
Seed
Early Stage VC
Therapeutic Devices
Discovery Tools
OH Technology Systems2
Decision Risk Analysis
Drug Delivery
Diagnostic Equipment
Later Stage VC
Grants
Pharmaceuticals
Laboratory Services1
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts 1. Healthcare Laboratory Services; 2. Other Healthcare Technology Systems
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
Venture Capital
U.S. Markets
Secondary markets also experienced a slower funding climate in 2023, except for the Dallas-Fort Worth market. Dallas-Fort Worth funding totaled $195 million (+40% YOY), with an average deal size of $14 million (+131% YOY). The top five markets in total funding included Seattle at $886 million (-9% YOY); New York at $877 million (-26% YOY); Los Angeles-Orange County at $582 million (-53%); Denver-Boulder at $378 million (-31%); and New Jersey at $366 million (-27%). Seattle not only attracted the most funding among secondary markets, but it also had the largest average deal size at $22 million (+20% YOY). Like the national trend, most markets saw the majority of 2023 funding focused on later stage companies, with a few exceptions.
Most hub markets saw decreased activity in 2023 but continued to attract a large share of life sciences VC funding. Boston saw funding levels fall to $8 billion (-18% YOY) but garnered 30% of total funding in the U.S., the largest share of funding across markets. While volume was down, Boston’s deal size increased to $32 million per deal (+20% YOY). The San Francisco Bay Area saw a significant drop in investment while receiving the second-largest funding volume at $7 billion (-40%), a 26% share of total U.S. volume. Deal size decreased to $28 million per deal (-8% YOY). However, 2023 funding was on par with 2020 and continues to trend higher than pre pandemic years. San Diego’s VC volume fell to $2 billion (-16% YOY), but like Boston, the average deal size increased to $24 million per deal (+8%). Philadelphia and Raleigh-Durham also saw funding activity slip in 2023, to $572 million (-37% YOY) and $385 million (-64% YOY), respectively. Suburban Maryland was the only hub market to experience an uptick in activity, with $312 million (+167% YOY) and an average deal size of $13 million (+263% YOY).
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
2023 U.S. Funding by Market
2023 Funding
$8
40%
$7
35%
$6
30%
$5
25%
$4
20%
$3 $Billions
15%
$2
10%
$1
5%
$0
0%
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
U.S. Funding by Top 10 Markets
Top 10 Markets 2023 by Top Industries, in $Billions
U.S. Top 10 Markets 2023 by Deal Type
$8
Boston
$3.5
$2.4
$0.5
$7
Bay Area
$3.5
$1.3
$0.7
$6
$4.1
San Diego
$1.3
$0.5
$5
Seattle
$4.2
$0.6
$0.1
$4
New York
$0.3
$0.2
$0.2
$3
$Billions
Los Angeles-OC
$0.4
$0.1
$2
$3.4
Philadelphia
$0.2
$0.3
$1.1
$2.3
$1
Raleigh-Durham
$0.2
$0.1
$0.9
$0
Denver-Boulder
$0.2
$0.0
New Jersey
$0.1
$0.1
$0.1
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Drug Discovery
Biotechnology Discovery Tools Drug Delivery
Other
Accelerator/Incubator
Angel
Therapeutic Devices Decision Risk Analysis
OH Tech Systems2 Diagnostic Equipment
Seed
Early Stage VC
Later Stage VC
Grants
Pharmaceuticals
Laboratory Services1
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts 1. Healthcare Laboratory Services; 2. Other Healthcare Technology Systems
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
Initial Public Offering Activity
Global life sciences deal volume fell to $8 billion (-25% YOY) in 2023, mainly led by the -73% YOY drop in APAC to $2 billion. The European IPO market also receded significantly, with only $1 million in deals, a far cry from the $686 million in IPO activity posted in 2022. North America saw increased IPO activity in 2023 with $5 billion, nearly four times higher than 2022 volume, but significantly lower than the $17 billion from 2020. Global overall IPO activity fell 19% YOY, led by slower volume in APAC (-31%), while activity grew in North America (+15%) and Europe (+39%). In the U.S., life sciences IPO activity was much stronger in 2023 on a YOY basis, but it still lags the strong volume posted in 2020 and 2021. IPO deal volume totaled $5 billion (+226% YOY), buoyed by the $2 billion GE Healthcare (NAS: GEHC) IPO, which was announced in November 2021 but closed in January 2023. Underwriting for IPOs became more stringent in 2023, and companies with clear revenues and a path to profitably were more likely to IPO. Some companies were able to take a different route and use reverse mergers to enter the market.
U.S. Quarterly IPO Activity
$7
$6
$6.0
$5
$5.0
$4.8
$4
$4.2
$3.8
$3.7
$3
$2 $Billions
$2.4
$1
$1.2
$1.1
$1.1
$0.3
$0.3
$0.8
$0.0
$0.6
$0.6
$0
2020 Q1
2020 Q2
2020 Q3
2020 Q4
2021 Q1
2021 Q2
2021 Q3
2021 Q4
2022 Q1
2022 Q2
2022 Q3
2022 Q4
2023 Q1
2023 Q2
2023 Q3
2023 Q4
Source: PitchBook Data, Inc.; *Data has not been reviewed by PitchBook analysts
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LIFE SCIENCES SEPTEMBER 2023
U.S. NIH Funding
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to increase its annual funding budget. Funding totaled $38 billion in 2023, (+3.3% YOY), with over $3 billion allocated to the for-profit sector. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 is $51 billion, the bulk of which will fund research. Another 3.3% increase in total annual funding should result in an additional $3 billion committed by privately held companies to fund research in 2023.
Non-Profit
For Profit
$40
$3.3
$35
$3.0
$3.3
$2.8
$30
$2.3
$1.8
$25
$1.8
$1.4
$2.1 $1.7 $0.9 $1.5
$1.8 $1.9
$1.3
$1.9 $1.9 $1.9
$1.5 $0.9
$20
$Billions
$34 $35
$32 $32
$15
$29
$26
$23 $24
$22 $22 $23 $22
$21
$21
$21
$21 $21 $22
$21 $21
$10
$5
$0
Source: National Institutes of Health
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LIFE SCIENCES SEPTEMBER 2023
Merger & Acquisition Activity
Global Pharmaceutical Revenue by Year
1 Statista 2 https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/pharma-life sciences-deals outlook.html#:~:text=Healthy%20activity%20levels%20expected%20in,billion%20ran ge%20across%20all%20subsectors. Immunogen, thereby also acquiring Elahere, an FDA approved ovarian cancer treatment. In the U.S., some pharma companies used M&A deals to strengthen their R&D pipelines, especially with drug repricing and shorter exclusivity terms. Pharmaceutical (pharma) companies had record revenues in the last few years. As of 2022, global pharma revenue reached $1.5 trillion, (+2.4% YOY) 1 , giving them significant buying power. Based on PwC data, 2023 life sciences M&A activity totaled $238 billion (+50% YOY) on 268 deals 2 . The top 10 deals alone totaled $121 billion, nearly 50% of the overall M&A deal volume, and include: Pfizer’s $43 billion acquisition of cancer drugmaker Seagen; Bristol-Myers Squibbs ’ $14 billion acquisition of Karuna Therapeutics, maker of schizophrenia treatment that is close to FDA approval; Merck & Co.’s $11 billion acquisition of Prometheus Biosciences, a gain that strengthens its immunology pipeline; and AbbVie’s $10 billion acquisition of
$1,600
$1,400
$1,482
$1,200
$1,450
$1,312
$1,278
$1,000
$1,205
$1,135
$1,115
$1,073
$1,063
$800
$994
$964
$963
$888
$831
$600
$799
$726
$649
$601
$400
$560
$498
Revenue in Billions USD$
$428
$200
$390
$0
Source: Statista
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LIFE SCIENCES SEPTEMBER 2023
2024 Outlook
United States
• Interest rate stabilization: Rates remain high, and cuts may not come before the middle of the year. Life sciences companies should expect debt to continue to be more expensive in 2024, however, having some clarity may allow banks to increase lending volume. • Another banner year for M&A: As 2024 kicked off, several M&A deals were announced, and like 2023, pharma companies will continue to look for strategic targets. Companies with strong clinical trials that are close to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval are the most likely candidates for M&A. Expectations of strong M&A activity may have a positive effect on early- to mid stage fundraising in 2024. • Softening commercial real estate (CRE) fundamentals provide opportunity: Life sciences companies planning their space requirements this year will be in a great position to take advantage of a softening CRE market. New space deliveries, coupled with higher vacancy rates and lower effective rents means that deals signed in 2024 will likely be tenant favorable.
Last year was full of uncertainties for life sciences companies. Some of this uncertainty will likely spill over into 2024, however, many companies are now adept at navigating a more challenging landscape. Developing strategies to operate lean in a capital constrained environment will continue to be an important tool in 2024, as investors continue to be cautious with their allocations. Some things to consider in 2024 include: • VC funding: More of the same? Several life sciences funds announced an aggregate raise of over $6 billion during the fourth quarter of 2023. Goldman Sachs started 2024 by announcing a new $650 million fund focused on life sciences, $90 million of which has already been committed to five companies 3 . The overall VC market has nearly $300 billion in dry powder, based on first quarter 2023 Pitchbook data. This means that $46 billion potentially could be allocated to life sciences deals, since life sciences historically have accounted for 16% of total annual funding on average. While VC funding will likely not reach early pandemic highs, there is a lot for life sciences companies to be optimistic about in 2024. Deals may take longer to close, as investors are more cautious about commitments, but there is plenty of capital waiting to be deployed. • Potential uptick in IPOs: Many companies that intended to IPO in 2023 sat on the sidelines waiting for a better environment. Some could be ready in 2024, which would lead to a flurry of announcements. In the first IPO of 2024, CG Oncology was be listed in Nasdaq on January 25 th at a $19 share price, $1 higher than its proposal 4 . At the current share price, the company can achieve its proposed market capitalization of $1 billion. The CG listing will potentially be a bellwether for activity in 2024.
More information on the state of life sciences real estate around the globe will be released in Cushman & Wakefield’s upcoming Life Sciences Update report – subscribe here to receive exclusive access .
3 https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/goldman-sachs-asset-management-raises-650-mln-life-sciences-fund-2024-01-03/ 4 https://endpts.com/cg-oncology-kickstarts-2024-biotech-ipo-class-with-380m-listing//
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LIFE SCIENCES JANUARY 2024
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in approximately 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2022, the firm reported revenue of $10.1 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and more. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.
Authors
Sandy Romero Research Manager
Global Research +1 212 713 6970 sandy.romero@cushwake.com
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