Two key healthcare investors have merged to create the largest dedicated investment manager in their specialist sector, which will see the duo hold more than $21bn in combined assets.
Through the deal between European specialist healthcare investor, Global Healthcare Opportunities (GHO) and Asian asset manager, CBC Group, the two companies will join forces to serve companies in the pharma, life sciences, diagnostics, medtech and healthcare sectors
The merger will see both companies extend their current footprint – creating a firm that holds a presence across the key North American, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and European regions, which currently account for around nine-tenths of the global healthcare R&D spend. By working in tandem, the companies will integrate their employee base of more than 200 investment and operational professionals situated across 13 offices. Upon the merger, GHO’s co-founder, Mike Mortimer and CBC’s CEO, Fu Wei, will take the helm as co-CEOs of the new firm, while fellow GHO co-founders, Andrea Ponti and Alan MacKay, will take up board responsibilities for group finance and governance, respectively.
If the merger closes as expected in 2027, the existing funds and portfolio companies from both entities will continue to operate as normal, with no changes to governance, ownership or investment mandates. According to GHO Capital’s vice chair and co-founder, Mireille Gillings, the new firm will place a key focus on “high-growth, innovation-led opportunities” – including artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches that she says could help deliver “better, faster and more accessible healthcare”. In a statement to Pharmaceutical Technology, GHO noted that success within the global healthcare landscape hinges on a firm’s ability to “operate seamlessly across trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific markets.” “North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific represent 90% of global healthcare R&D spend.