The history of Medicare coverage of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices has not lacked for controversy despite the massive positive impact on outcomes. Ashwin Nathan, of Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, said a new analysis made clear that the expansion of centers qualified to perform TAVR procedures has been nearly all in high population density areas with an existing TAVR program, thus leaving out the still-forgotten rural patient.

Just four months after Blue Water Acquisition Corp. raised $50 million in an IPO, it set out on April 27 to merge with Clarus Therapeutics Inc., the developer of testosterone replacement therapy Jatenzo, valuing the Northbrook, Ill.-based firm at $379 million. Earlier in April, BCTG Acquisition Corp. announced plans to buy Cambridge, Mass.-based targeted precision cancer company Tango Therapeutics Inc. for $353 million, about seven months after completing its $167 million IPO. Both Clarus and Tango are seeking the public markets by merging with a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, a method that is becoming increasingly popular and an alternative to the traditional IPO.

In just one quarter, 14 med-tech companies overall, nearly half the number in 2020, debuted on public markets around the world, and venture capital (VC) financings for the industry have hit a five-year record. The IPOs raised a total of $3.7 billion, a more than 15-fold increase from last year’s first quarter, whereas 107 VC rounds brought in 77% more, or $4.1 billion, in the first quarter (Q1) of 2021.

While strong financial markets could create merger and acquisition headwinds for med tech, the volume of both M&As and deals are rising above each of the prior three years, indicating a growing industry interest that is not always clear in the financials.

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to roll out, momentum builds with strong phase III data for what could become the fourth and fifth walls of defense in the U.S.

Med-tech M&A continued an upward trend through March, with 30% more completed in 2021 compared with this point last year. Deals, including collaborations, licensings and joint ventures, are up by 13%, although the value of those deals are trailing 2020 by 39%.