Healthcare
Sector funds: Special forces
The proliferation of fund managers targeting relatively focused investment segments signals a new maturity in Asian private equity. The trend will evolve in step with regional markets
China's EOC Pharma closes $32m Series B
EOC Pharma, a China-based cancer treatment specialist, has closed a $32 million Series B funding round led by Taikang Industry Development Fund.
China genomics player Annoroad raises $105m Series C
Beijing-based genomics services provider Annoroad has completed a RMB700 million ($105 million) Series C round co-led by Shenzhen GTJA Investment Group and Ping An Ventures. SBCVC and SAIF Partners China also participated.
Fund focus: HighLight's early-stage prescription
HighLight Capital has secured $250 million for its second China healthcare-focused fund, suggesting that proven sector specialists are getting traction with institutional LPs
Hony backs Chinese pharmacy management platform
Hony Capital has led a Series B round of funding for Quanyi Pharmacy Chain, an investment and operating platform that is intended to consolidate Chinese retail drug stores.
Deal focus: GPs boost Prenetics' Asia genetics effort
Beyond Ventures and Alibaba Group have led a funding round that will support the Asia expansion of Hong Kong-based genetics healthcare start-up Prenetics
China's HighLight Capital closes Fund II at $250m
Chinese healthcare-focused GP HighLight Capital, which was set up by former CDH Investments executive Steven Wang, has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at the hard cap of $250 million.
INCJ, Konica Minolta acquire Ambry Genetics for $1b
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and imaging giant Konica Minolta have completed a $1 billion joint acquisition of US-based Ambry Genetics, with a view to growing the company in Japan.
Alibaba, Beyond lead $40m round for Hong Kong's Prenetics
Beyond Ventures and Chinese internet giant Alibaba Group have led a $40 million funding round for Hong Kong-based genetic testing and wellness start-up Prenetics.
Portfolio: J-Star and Japan Hospice Holdings
In 2014 J-Star bet on a pair of pioneering companies in Japan’s hospice care market. Now the resulting platform is set to dominate the still-nascent industry with high standards for care and patient dignity
Blue Ocean Capital exits China Cord Blood
China-focused PE firm Blue Ocean Capital has exited US-listed China Cord Blood Corporation (CCBC), by selling its beneficial interest in the blood bank operator to a fund sponsored by Chinese conglomerate Sanpower Group.
C-Bridge hires ex-GSK executive as senior partner
C-Bridge Capital, a Chinese healthcare-focused private equity firm, has appointed Abbas Hussain, who was most recently global president for pharmaceuticals and vaccines at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), as a senior partner.
India's Samara acquires drug portfolio from Novartis
Samara Capital Partners has acquired the Indian rights to a portfolio of drug brands from Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis.
OrbiMed invests $42.5m in India's Vivimed Labs
Healthcare specialist investor OrbiMed has committed $42.5 million in Uquifa, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) unit of India-listed pharmaceuticals business Vivimed Labs.
Deal focus: XW wins backing for better drugs
XW Laboratories identifies approved drugs with deficiencies and produces new versions that work better. The Chinese company has received $17.5 million in Series B funding to build out its pipeline
China's XW Laboratories raises $17.5m Series B
Chinese biopharmaceuticals developer XW Laboratories has raised a $17.5 million Series B funding round led by WI Harper and Elements Capital.
China's Zai Lab jumps 55% on debut after $150m IPO
Zai Lab, a Chinese drug developer backed by several venture capital investors, gained 55% on its NASDAQ trading debut following a $150 million IPO.
Waterman exits New Zealand's HealthLink
New Zealand’s Waterman Capital has exited its entire 50% stake in HealthLink, a local online services provider for the healthcare industry, to Ireland-based medical technology specialist Clanwilliam.
PE and AI: The machinists
After decades of tantalizing but patchy progress, artificial intelligence is finally seen as ready for mass commercialization. Investors must now weigh an unmissable opportunity with a world of uncertainty
China's United Imaging Healthcare raises $509m Series A
Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare, a China-based medical imaging device maker, has completed a RMB3.33 billion ($509 million) Series A round of funding co-led by state-backed SDIC Fund Management and China Life Healthcare Fund.
Fosun revises bid for KKR-backed Gland Pharma
Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical has altered the terms of its acquisition of a majority stake in India-based Gland Pharma – a deal that will facilitate an exit for KKR – as part of a long-running battle to win regulatory approval.
Deal focus: Creador writes Indonesia health prescription
With a $45 million investment from Creador, Indonesian hospital chain Medikaloka Hermina is preparing its push to reach the country's underserved middle class
Fund focus: OrbiMed scales up for Fund III
US-based healthcare specialist investor OrbiMed once again raises the bar with the closing of its oversubscribed third Asia fund
Profile: Quadria Capital's Abrar Mir
Following a happenstance job placement in healthcare investment, Abrar Mir developed a passion for the sector’s science and ethics. This underpinned the creation of Asia-focused Quadria Capital