As IPOs have slowed significantly in 2022, so have the debuts of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) targeting the life sciences industry, primarily due to two looming threats. This time a year ago, BioWorld had tracked 60 IPOs of SPACs searching for biopharma or med-tech targets and nearly 30 SPACs that had secured acquisitions. For 2022, there are 21 SPACs currently searching, and only two of those went public this year. As for completed M&As involving SPACs, there have been 17 this year and another nine that are pending.

Digital health remains a primary driver of med-tech partnerships and mergers, accounting for 67.3% of all deal activity and 49.9% of the completed M&As in 2022.

Evolent Health Inc. agreed to acquire Magellan Specialty Health from Centene Corp. in a deal worth up to $750 million. The companies also reported a strategic partnership to continue and expand Centene’s relationship with Magellan Specialty Health.

Trisalus Life Sciences Inc. agreed to merge with Medtech Acquisition Corp. (MTAC) in a deal that allows the drug/device company’s management to meet three out of three goals: quick cash, retained control and faster completion of key clinical trials.

Tivic Health Systems Inc. agreed to acquire the assets of Reliefband Technologies LLC for $33.5 million. Reliefband makes a line of wearable electronic nerve stimulators for treatment of nausea and vomiting, while Tivic’s portfolio of bioelectronic products centers on its Clearup device, which has FDA approval for relief of sinus pain and congestion. The deal is expected to close in either late 2022 or early 2023.

Private equity firm TPG Inc. validated rumors circulating since August that it was seeking a buyer for Immucor Inc. with the announcement of an agreement to sell the diagnostics company for $2 billion to Werfen SA. Immucor offers transfusion and transplantation diagnostics making it a natural fit for Werfen, which develops specialized diagnostic instruments, reagents and data management solutions. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2023.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has agreed to acquire The Binding Site Group (BSG) from a shareholder consortium in a $2.6 billion cash transaction that folds in neatly with Thermo Fisher’s existing product portfolio. The acquisition should be completed in the first half of 2023, but while the news had only a modest effect on Thermo’s share prices, this transaction should boost adjusted earnings per share by seven cents in the first full year after the transaction has closed.

Ixlayer Inc. partnered with CVS Health Corp. to streamline lab testing, lower costs and provide actionable steps for patients through a new at-home testing service. Starting with vitamin D levels, Lyme disease, sexually transmitted infections and thyroid function, the collaboration will put a wide range of common lab tests on the pharmacy giant’s shelves and online service for consumers to buy without a prescription or doctor’s visit and at a reduced cost compared to conventional testing channels.

Aural Analytics Inc. and Hhitt Inc., dba Hitcheck, teamed up to offer a cognitive assessment application that could quickly answer the question, “Should he play?” after a hit to the head during a game. Considering the controversy over Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s loss of consciousness following his second head injury in two games last month, the cognitive assessment tool, which includes clinical-grade speech analytics, comes none too soon.

The value of med-tech mergers and acquisitions, as well as deals, fell in the third quarter, although 2022 remains a standout year. M&As are at a five-year high, while deals are second only to 2019, in terms of overall value during the first three quarters. The volume of M&As are behind 2021, but deal volume this year remains on top.