Clinical data in 2021 has risen by about 9.2% in comparison with the same timeframe in 2020. As of mid-August, BioWorld has tracked a total of 2,400 entries of clinical data, which is up from the 2,197 entries last year. The gap has decreased from about 26% in mid-April, suggesting a steady slowdown in activity.
A total of 946 med-tech deals so far in 2021 are valued at $537.42 million, which pales in comparison to each of the last three years, although the volume is way ahead, indicating robust activity but a high number of deals with undisclosed terms.
Contrary to the broader markets, BioWorld’s Cancer Index is down by 22% this year, losing more than 7% throughout the month of July, despite oncology driving several high-money deals and accounting for 38%, the lion’s share, of financings. Both the Nasdaq Biotech Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average are tracking similarly for the year, and are up by 13.2% and 15.2%, respectively, as of Aug. 10.
While the 441 med-tech financings completed so far this year are nearly as much as this point last year (446), the amount of money raised, at $33.43 billion, is 17% below the amount raised through early August of 2020 ($40.14 billion). Just two months ago, the volume of financings was 10% higher than last year, indicating a recent slowdown in activity. Nevertheless, 2021 appears to be on track to beat the $40.7 billion raised in 2019, and it is already ahead of the full year amounts for 2017 and 2018.