Despite global dealmaking slowdowns, firms are still on the hunt to find deals and sometimes that means expanding into new areas. This time, one of the heavy hitters in the space is looking to do just that as J.P. Morgan is diving head first into life sciences.
J.P. Morgan Asset Management has launched its new life sciences private equity team, Life Sciences Private Capital, which will sit within the firm’s growth equity and private credit investment platform, J.P. Morgan Private Capital.
The new team intends on investing in early and growth-stage healthcare firms with a focus on novel therapeutics and technologies across genetic medicine, oncology, neurodegenerative disease, rare diseases, autoimmunity, AI/ML platforms, metabolic diseases and neuropsychology.
“There are a number of reasons that this is the right time,” says Stephen Squinto, chief investment officer and managing partner of the J.P. Morgan’s life sciences team. “Firstly, current valuations make this an attractive entry point and secondly, the rapid pace of biomedical innovation is creating really exciting opportunities in the life sciences space. Finally, we think many life sciences companies are seeking operational and drug development expertise and experience, and we believe the team and group of strategic advisers we have pulled together are uniquely positioned to deliver this.”
The group is looking to make the most of the large-scale, resources and data assets J.P. Morgan Chase can provide while looking to differentiate itself through its healthcare expertise.
Across its target subsectors within life sciences and therapeutic healthcare, the firm expects to see increasing consolidation in 2023 and beyond. The firm will asses individual investment opportunities ranging from the seed stage through more mature, pre-IPO firms.
What areas of life science and therapeutics investing interests you? Let me know at [email protected].
–Cole Lipsky
