The amount of money raised by the med-tech industry through public and private financings in 2020 is more than double the amounts seen in 2017 and 2018 and 37% above last year, despite massive global disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

No one will be sad to see the back of a horrendous year, with the raging pandemic bringing the world to its knees. However, the potential end to this dire situation is now tantalizingly in sight. The collective sigh of relief was certainly demonstrated by investors. According to Cowen & Co. analysts, “the sector had its strongest rally since the Spring and the biotech indices kept pace with the broader markets."

Nearly a year after the SARS-CoV-2 virus first appeared in Wuhan, China, a ray of hope is shining on the world with high efficacy reported for four vaccines and U.S. emergency use authorizations granted to three more therapeutics.

While med-tech deal values fall significantly short of last year, the 1,240 deals worth $4 billion recorded through November place 2020 above 2018 in terms of value and well above each of the last two years in terms of volume.

A quick look back at top stories.

Biopharma money raised to-date and by quarter in 2020, including public, private and other financings.