top of page
Lloyd Price

HealthTech M&A multiples: Current Trends and Variables driving valuations End of 2024



Exec Summary:


The average revenue multiple for HealthTech companies at the end of 2024 varies depending on the specific type of HealthTech company and other factors. However, here are some insights into the current market:


  • Overall Trend: The average revenue multiple for HealthTech companies is generally higher than for other technology companies. This reflects the growing demand for innovative digital health solutions and the rapid growth of the healthcare market.  


  • Specific Sub-sectors:


    • Telehealth companies: These companies typically have higher revenue multiples due to their rapid growth and potential to disrupt traditional healthcare delivery models.  


    • Wellness companies: These companies may have lower revenue multiples compared to other HealthTech sub-sectors, as they often focus on consumer products and services with lower profit margins.


    • Drug discovery companies: These companies can have high revenue multiples, especially for those developing innovative therapies with significant market potential.  


    • Medical device companies: Revenue multiples for these companies can vary depending on the specific device and its market potential.


    • Healthcare IT companies: These companies may have lower revenue multiples compared to other HealthTech subsectors, as they often focus on software and services with lower profit margins.


Important Considerations:


  • Valuation Multiples are Dynamic: Revenue multiples can fluctuate based on various factors, including market conditions, company performance, and industry trends.  


  • Company-Specific Factors: The specific revenue multiple for a HealthTech company will depend on its unique characteristics, such as its growth rate, profitability, and competitive position.


  • Consult with Experts: It is recommended to consult with investment bankers, venture capitalists, or other financial experts to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on revenue multiples for specific HealthTech companies.


Average revenue multiples


The average revenue multiple for HealthTech companies at the end of 2024 is 4.6x. This is down from 6.5x in 2023 but still higher than the average revenue multiple for all technology companies, which is 3.5x.


The higher revenue multiple for HealthTech companies reflects the fact that the healthcare market is growing rapidly and there is a lot of demand for innovative digital health solutions.


The average revenue multiples for different types of HealthTech companies in 2024 are:


  • Telehealth companies: 5.4x to 4.6x


  • Wellness companies: 4.2x to 3.1x


  • Drug discovery companies: 7.5x to 5.25x


  • Medical device companies: 5.4x to 4.2x


  • Healthcare IT companies: 3.25x to 2.0x


As you can see, drug discovery companies tend to have the highest average revenue multiples, reflecting the high-risk, high-reward nature of the sector. Telehealth and medical device companies also command relatively high valuations due to their significant growth potential. Wellness and healthcare IT companies typically have lower multiples, but this can vary depending on their specific niche and business model.


10 Key Variables in HealthTech M&A valuation multiples today are:


  • Stage of the company's development: Early-stage companies are typically valued at a lower multiple than more mature companies.


  • Size of the company: Larger companies are typically valued at a higher multiple than smaller companies.


  • Intellectual property portfolio: Companies with valuable intellectual property are typically valued at a higher multiple.


  • Quality of the management team: A strong management team can add value to a company and may lead to a higher valuation.


  • Revenue growth: This is one of the most important factors in determining the valuation of a healthtech company. Companies with strong revenue growth are typically valued at a premium to those with slower growth.


  • Gross margin: Gross margin is a measure of a company's profitability. Companies with higher gross margins are typically valued at a premium to those with lower margins.


  • Customer acquisition costs: Customer acquisition costs (CAC) are the costs associated with acquiring new customers. Companies with lower CACs are typically valued at a premium to those with higher CACs.


  • Market share: Market share is a measure of a company's dominance in its industry. Companies with a large market share are typically valued at a premium to those with a smaller market share.


  • Regulatory landscape: The regulatory landscape for healthtech is constantly evolving. Companies that operate in industries with a favourable regulatory environment are typically valued at a premium to those that operate in industries with a more challenging regulatory environment.


  • Technology moat: A technology moat is a competitive advantage that makes it difficult for other companies to compete with a company. Companies with a strong technology moat are typically valued at a premium to those that do not have a moat.


Nelson Advisors work with Founders, Owners and Investors to assess whether they should 'Build, Buy, Partner or Sell' in order to maximise shareholder value.


Healthcare Technology Thought Leadership from Nelson Advisors – Market Insights, Analysis & Predictions. Visit https://www.healthcare.digital 


HealthTech Corporate Development - Buy Side, Sell Side, Growth & Strategy services for Founders, Owners and Investors. Email lloyd@nelsonadvisors.co.uk  


HealthTech M&A Newsletter from Nelson Advisors - HealthTech, Health IT, Digital Health Insights and Analysis. Subscribe Today! https://lnkd.in/e5hTp_xb 


HealthTech Corporate Development and M&A - Buy Side, Sell Side, Growth & Strategy services for companies in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Visit www.nelsonadvisors.co.uk




HealthTech M&A valuation multiples


HealthTech M&A valuation multiples are a set of metrics used to determine the value of a HealthTech company in an acquisition or merger.


These multiples are typically based on financial metrics such as revenue, earnings, or users/subscribers, and can differ based on the company's stage of development, growth prospects, market position, and other relevant factors.


Some of the most commonly used HealthTech M&A valuation multiples include:


  • Enterprise value (EV) to sales: This multiple is the most common way to value healthtech companies. It is calculated by dividing the company's enterprise value (EV) by its trailing 12-month revenue.


  • EV to EBITDA: This multiple is used to measure a company's profitability. It is calculated by dividing the company's EV by its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).


  • Price to earnings (P/E) ratio: This multiple is used to measure a company's valuation relative to its earnings. It is calculated by dividing the company's stock price by its earnings per share (EPS).


  • Price to sales (P/S) ratio: This multiple is used to measure a company's valuation relative to its sales. It is calculated by dividing the company's stock price by its trailing 12-month revenue.


The specific multiple that is used to value a HealthTech company will depend on a number of factors, including the company's stage of development, growth prospects, market position, and other relevant factors. However, the multiples listed above are a good starting point for understanding how HealthTech companies are valued in M&A transactions.


It is important to note that valuation multiples are just one factor that is considered when valuing a healthtech company. Other factors, such as the company's management team, its intellectual property, and its strategic positioning, can also play a role in determining the company's valuation.


Here are some of the recent trends in HealthTech M&A valuation multiples:


  • Valuation multiples vary depending on the sub-sector of healthtech. For example, companies in the telehealth sector typically command higher valuation multiples than companies in the medical device sector.


  • Valuation multiples are also affected by the stage of development of the company. Companies that are still in the early stages of development typically command lower valuation multiples than companies that are more mature.


  • Valuation multiples have been increasing in recent years. This is due to a number of factors, including the growing demand for digital health solutions, the increasing investment in healthtech by venture capitalists, and the favorable regulatory environment for healthtech companies.



Current HealthTech M&A valuation multiples


In terms of valuation, the 10 Key Variables in HealthTech M&A valuation multiples today are:


  • Stage of the company's development: Early-stage companies are typically valued at a lower multiple than more mature companies.


  • Size of the company: Larger companies are typically valued at a higher multiple than smaller companies.


  • Intellectual property portfolio: Companies with valuable intellectual property are typically valued at a higher multiple.


  • Quality of the management team: A strong management team can add value to a company and may lead to a higher valuation.


  • Revenue growth: This is one of the most important factors in determining the valuation of a healthtech company. Companies with strong revenue growth are typically valued at a premium to those with slower growth.


  • Gross margin: Gross margin is a measure of a company's profitability. Companies with higher gross margins are typically valued at a premium to those with lower margins.


  • Customer acquisition costs: Customer acquisition costs (CAC) are the costs associated with acquiring new customers. Companies with lower CACs are typically valued at a premium to those with higher CACs.


  • Market share: Market share is a measure of a company's dominance in its industry. Companies with a large market share are typically valued at a premium to those with a smaller market share.


  • Regulatory landscape: The regulatory landscape for healthtech is constantly evolving. Companies that operate in industries with a favourable regulatory environment are typically valued at a premium to those that operate in industries with a more challenging regulatory environment.


  • Technology moat: A technology moat is a competitive advantage that makes it difficult for other companies to compete with a company. Companies with a strong technology moat are typically valued at a premium to those that do not have a moat.



Nelson Advisors work with Founders, Owners and Investors to assess whether they should 'Build, Buy, Partner or Sell' in order to maximise shareholder value.


Healthcare Technology Thought Leadership from Nelson Advisors – Market Insights, Analysis & Predictions. Visit https://www.healthcare.digital 


HealthTech Corporate Development - Buy Side, Sell Side, Growth & Strategy services for Founders, Owners and Investors. Email lloyd@nelsonadvisors.co.uk  


HealthTech M&A Newsletter from Nelson Advisors - HealthTech, Health IT, Digital Health Insights and Analysis. Subscribe Today! https://lnkd.in/e5hTp_xb 


HealthTech Corporate Development and M&A - Buy Side, Sell Side, Growth & Strategy services for companies in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Visit www.nelsonadvisors.co.uk





40 views

Related Posts

See All

Comments


Screenshot 2023-11-06 at 13.13.55.png
bottom of page