Medical Devices Get Most Funding in Slow Stretch for VC: Mid-Year Results from Healthcare Corporate Fin...( Mid-year res...),Health

Mid-year results reveal that the last time the health care venture capital market experienced such a slow six-month stretch was the second half of 2005. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, based on deals with disclosed prices of $1 million or more, 208 health care venture capital deals were announced totaling $3.58 billion. The second quarter ended June 30, 2008 produced 105 deals totaling $1.66 billion.

NORWALK, Conn. (Business Wire EON) July 14, 2008 -- Medical device companies captured an impressive share of the dollars and deals, as displayed in the following chart, which breaks out by sector the total number of deals and total amount of funding, for both the quarter and the first six months of the year.

Health Care Venture Capital Investment Totals By Sector Sector Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2008   Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Number of Deals   Dollar Total, In Millions Number of Deals   Dollar Total, In Millions Medical Devices 29   $430.2 63   $1,098.7 Biotechnology 26   $467.8 51   $853.4 Biopharmaceuticals 23   $332.4 40   $709.3 Pharmaceuticals 10   $213.7 26   $614.0 e-Health 9   $57.3 17   $110.2 Health Care Services & Other 8   $156.1 14   $234.4 Total 105   $1,657.5   211   $3,620.0 Biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies also continue to attract a major portion of the venture capital funding devoted to health care. "The downturn in funding and deal volume is, to some extent, a reflection of the broader markets, which presently feature uncertainty related to economic and regulatory forces," remarked Gretchen S. Swanson, Editor of Healthcare Corporate Finance News. "In addition, the current lack of demand for venture-backed IPOs is giving investors and entrepreneurs a reason to focus on intensifying efficiency and consider alternate strategic options
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