HEALTHCARE SECTORS

LARGE PHARMA COMPANIES

Pharmaceutical R&D productivity has declined in spite of increased R&D investment; new launches are therefore essential to strong future performance.

We have a long history in working with clients on corporate (M&A, JVs and alliances) and business development (licensing) transactions. We advise clients on portfolio and lifecycle management, global product launches, sales force effectiveness, regional growth strategies and regulatory issues. We help them develop solid R&D strategies, institutionalize innovation and help them assess technology platforms. 

SPECIALTY PHARMACEUTICALS
(e.g., orphan drugs, drug delivery)

Specialty pharmaceutical companies focus on niche markets, achieving premium prices for their differentiated products and technologies.

We advise clients and investors on value-maximization strategies in the specialty pharma universe, for example, building on specialty pharma companies’ core strengths, strategies to develop services linked to products and the resolution of regulatory issues. We have published books in the specialty pharma sector, e.g., ‘The Generics Fascination’ published by Handelsblatt Publishing Group.

BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology companies face major challenges in raising funds and in making business-critical decisions about which products to develop, how to allocate their staff’s time and their own resources, and which pharmaceutical companies to partner with.

Together with biotechnology clients, we develop portfolio growth and licensing strategies. Abolon has deep expertise in the positioning of biotechnology companies with pharmaceutical companies as well as private and public investors. We advise clients on how to approach potential partners and investors while building an overall track record that will appeal to public markets in view of an initial public offering (IPO).

PHARMA SUPPORTING SERVICES
(e.g. API MANUFACTURERS, C(D)MOs, CROs, CSOs)

The degree of outsourcing has been increasing across all functions of the pharmaceutical industry. This general trend will continue in the coming years. In order to keep up with the overall growth in the sector, a differentiated offering by pharma support service businesses at competitive prices is critical. Though there is often a risk of commoditization, service industries have the structural advantage that are able to differentiate their offering.

We advise clients on growth options (incl. M&A) and operational improvement programs, e.g., applying our proprietary pharmaceutical production software, and evaluate changes in various regulatory environments. Our insights into their pharmaceutical customers allow us to focus on the development and improvement of the specialist services contract service providers have to offer in order to be successful.

DIAGNOSTIC PRODUCTS

With the completed sequencing of the human genome, industry interests and regulatory support of personalized medicine, a steep increase in the output of diagnostic products is expected to finally materialize.

We help clients evaluate growth opportunities from new technologies, companion diagnostics to pharmaceutical products, regional expansion, or ongoing consolidation in the industry.

MEDICAL DEVICES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Medical products range from commodity supply items to highly innovative implants.

We assist clients in identifying and pursuing new business areas, products and regions and advise them on the acquisition of technologies and on M&A opportunities. We also help clients successfully differentiate their pricing structures in order to escape price pressure from purchasing groups that continue to play a major role among medical devices customers.

DISTRIBUTORS

Pharma and medical device distributors compete for the best products on the market and rely on the effectiveness of their sales forces and their relationship networks.

We advise clients in sales force effectiveness, and the acquisition of other pharma and medical device distributors to enter a new market or consolidate the distribution landscape.

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

In healthcare services, many challenges and opportunities result from the specific regulations in the healthcare systems and their reforms. Having dived deeply into many healthcare systems we continue to be intrigued by the opportunities arising from increased privatization, the high sensitivity of business success to minor adjustments to the business model and the increased sophistication of payors, in particular well-incentivized statutory health insurance or occupational health players. Several Abolon partners own healthcare service businesses and are able to draw on a broad range of experiences. 

ACUTE CARE

Liberalization of healthcare systems and longterm affordability of treatment often lead to a higher degree of privatization in the acute care sector. Changes in the acute care sector rarely happen without major changes to adjacent services such as rehabilitation, nursing care and out-patient services.

We advise acute care players on growth, operational improvement programs, and consolidation issues, taking into account the changing regulatory environment and building on many years of advanced thinking about effective acute care.

NURSING CARE

An aging population and necessary healthcare cost containment are counteracting drivers for nursing care growth. A strong role of private players drives capacity growth and consolidation in the nursing care market.

We help clients to increase margins and pursue targeted M&A strategies. Our extensive experience in the nursing care market provides deep insights into the political, regulatory, economics and sociocultural factors determining success.  

OUT-PATIENT SETTING

Price pressure in many laboratory testing markets has led to continued consolidation, and regulatory environments largely influence physicians’ incentives to prescribe laboratory tests. GP surgeries and specialist out-patient clinics require strong referral networks to prosper and grow.

We help clients to identify high-margin segments and growth segments, as well as M&A consolidation strategies.