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ICR Westwicke Blog

The ICR Westwicke Blog is designed to deliver information and insights into the ever-changing world of healthcare communications.

Is 2024 the Year for the Life Science IPO Market?

Posted on February 27th, 2024. Posted by

Woman,Laborant,Working,With,Microscope,Holding,Automatic,Pipette

Since November 2023, the IPO market for companies has shown some signs of life – dare we say, “green shoots.”  Over the most recent 15-week period, 10 firms transition to their new chapters as publicly listed companies. In 8 of the 10 cases, the stock price has risen above the new issue price, with notable increases from Cargo Therapeutics (“CRGX”) +55.0%; Arrivent Biopharma (“AVBP”) + 28.9%; and CG Oncology (“CGON”) + 129.5% (as of EOD, February 23). Continue Reading

Maintaining a “Future IPO” Mindset in Health and Life Sciences

Posted on July 31st, 2023. Posted by

Mature financial analyst telling company development strategy on presentation using computer technology

In 2019, I wrote a piece on Why You Need an IPO Communications Strategy Well Before the IPO.  That was before a pandemic, during which time the healthcare industry experienced a breakthrough year of SPACs and IPOs, only to be followed by an austere 18+ months of market uncertainty.  Add rising interest rates and a tough fundraising environment, and going public is now often a conversation that stays on the shelf.  But the outlook may be looking brighter and the life sciences industry is showing a heartbeat.

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How SVB’s Fall Could Impact Healthcare Innovation

Posted on March 21st, 2023. Posted by

Scientist wearing face mask and analyzing chemicals in medical research laboratory

While SVB was the 16th largest U.S. bank and second-largest bank failure in U.S. history before it closed last week, those numbers don’t tell the whole story.

SVB was the bank for tech, biotech, digital health companies and venture capital firms, banking with nearly half of U.S. venture-backed healthcare and tech IPOs, as well as nearly half of venture-backed tech and life sciences companies. It was popular with startups and venture funds because it can be more difficult for early-stage companies to get loans from larger, more established banks. SVB made a point of being seen as a friendly lender to innovative companies.

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2023 MedTech Trends: Inflation, Valuation, Labor Market & More

Posted on January 19th, 2023. Posted by

Female lab tech looking through microscope

As the MedTech and broader healthcare investment community returns from the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and embarks on a new year, our experts provide insight and perspective on the key topics and variables that will influence activity in 2023.

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Is the Biotech IPO Market Coming Back? How to Prepare

Posted on August 23rd, 2022. Posted by

Lab worker looking into microscope in biotech lab

The second quarter of 2022 was the weakest quarter for healthcare and biotech IPOs in more than five years. Some media headlines have predicted that it marked the bottom of the biotech market. 

The XBI biotech index fund, which serves as an index for many companies that are eyeing a public debut, peaked in January 2021 followed by a fairly steady 16-month decline. But now, the XBI is on the rise. While it’s too soon to know if the XBI rise that kicked off in July 2022 will continue to mirror the rise that drove its 2021 peak, the climb appears to be signaling a comeback of healthcare and biotech IPOs.  

If you’re watching the fund, you might now be considering reviving your plans to take your company public.

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The Current and Future State of Biotech Financing

Posted on November 1st, 2021. Posted by

In the face of a global pandemic, capital markets have (understandably) seen unprecedented behavior over the past two years. With vaccines, rapid testing, and medical research at center stage of every news outlet and publication, the biotech sector has been especially active. There have been major shifts in both buy- and sell-side activities, leaving many companies wondering how to best raise capital as the world finds its new normal. As young and emerging biotech companies look forward, there is growing concern about the current and future state of funding.

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The Evolution of SPACs: New Challenges and Opportunities

Posted on May 20th, 2021. Posted by

Evolution of SPAC

Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) activity has exploded in the past two years, from 59 transactions in 2019, to 248 deals in 2020, to 308 SPACs so far in 2021. However, SPACs are not new. This type of transaction has been around for decades, continually evolving as it rises and falls in popularity.

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What to Know About Going Public Through an IPO, SPAC, or Direct Listing

Posted on May 6th, 2021. Posted by

Going Public: IPO, SPAC, or Direct Listing?

Going public is a transformational event that gives companies the capital they need to invest in future growth, attract top talent, and raise their profile, while providing liquidity to investors and employees.

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Panel Discussion and Highlights from the Westwicke / ICR Conference 2021

Posted on January 27th, 2021. Posted by

Westwicke ICR Conference 2021

The 2021 Westwicke / ICR Conference went virtual this year — and like many in-person events suddenly turned remote, attendees found new and unexpected opportunities for connecting with each other. Namely, the ability, finally, to be in two meetings at once.

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Direct Listings: A Communicator’s Guide

Posted on November 11th, 2020. Posted by

Direct Listings: A Communicator’s Guide

After a long period of market uncertainty driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the second half of 2020 saw market conditions improve for IPOs with a recent flurry of tech companies making their debut. With increased demand to access the public markets, a strong pipeline of companies set to come to market is shaping up quickly for all of 2021.

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