Header graphic for print

The Healthcare Investor

Insights on Issues & Trends that Impact Investments in Healthcare & Life Science Businesses

What Investors Should Understand About Data Privacy & Security Risks & Opportunities – 5 Key Takeaways

By Geoff Cockrell on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

The next in our series of posts sharing key takeaways from panels at the Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity and Lending Conference focuses on data privacy and security. It is authored by our colleagues Jamie Levin and Sara Shanti.

***

What Investors Should Understand About Data Privacy & Security Risks & Opportunities – 5 Key Takeaways

By Jamie E. Levin and Sara H. Shanti

As data privacy and security risks increasingly become more of a business and operational concern, there are certain principals investors should consider when seeking new opportunities, according to experts who spoke on a data privacy and security panel at the 15th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity & Finance Conference held in Chicago on February 21, 2018.

Experts included Jay Schulman, Principal at RSM US LLP and Steven Grant, President of Objective Arts, Inc.

Here are five key points from the panel discussion.

1. Healthcare security incidents are on the rise. The healthcare industry is particularly vulnerable to data breaches, hacking, and ransomware attacks given the sensitive nature of patient data and the lack of practical mechanisms to identify and rectify attacks, like those in the financial industry. In many instances, breach detection does not occur until well after the incident, creating prolonged exposures that result in damaging losses of confidentiality, data integrity, and reputations. The potential impacts of data security risk need to be fully understood in order to be quantified and integrated into the investment decision-making process.

2. Investors should conduct appropriate due diligence on potential investment targets to mitigate risk. Such diligence should include reviewing the infrastructure, systems and databases of a potential target, understanding the culture of compliance within the target and, most importantly, performing an in-depth analysis that follows the personal health information or other critical data throughout its lifecycle to determine what breaches have already occurred and areas where the target may be susceptible to exposure.

3. It is crucial to identify red flags and the costs for developing sufficient remediation. While some investors may view businesses that lack technology advances as a red flag, there is often great value in investing in these companies, so long as investors can extract the data and transfer it to a new platform and build future compliance. Investors should also give pause to those targets that have no historic breaches to report. Given that breaches are bound to occur, investors should consider whether the target is accurately monitoring data breaches or understands the brevity of doing so. Overall, the key is for investors to understand what they are buying into and have a roadmap to mitigate and manage these risks.

4. Data privacy and security can be a potential competitive advantage. As the holders of sensitive and personal health information, healthcare providers are entrusted with protecting this information from a data breach. A healthcare data breach has a devastating impact on a company’s reputation and severely comprises confidence and trust. Individuals are likely to switch applications, providers, or other products following a data breach, thereby impacting a company’s bottom line. Those companies that have a good reputation for implementing appropriate safeguards to protect data and mitigation processes can be in a better position to retain patients.

5. Focusing on analytical data can provide tangible benefits. While all data is important, analytical data allows businesses to project particular outcomes and make more informed decisions and improve patient outcomes. Investors are becoming increasingly focused on analytical data and systems that monitor behavior and track data across different networks and providers. Those investors that can leverage technology and data across hospitals, health systems, insurance companies and other medical providers in a secure manner have an opportunity to differentiate themselves.

Emerging Models in Urgent Care Investments: 5 Key Takeaways

By Amber Walsh on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

The next in our series of posts sharing key takeaways from panels at the Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity and Lending Conference focuses on urgent care investments. It is authored by our colleagues Amanda K. Roenius and Holly Buckley

***

Emerging Models in Urgent Care Investments: 5 Key Takeaways

By Amanda K. Roenius and Holly Buckley

The urgent care model has become increasingly popular and is continuing to show signs of growth, making it a continued area of interest for investment. Experts at the 15th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference, hosted by McGuireWoods on February 21, 2018, explored urgent care’s continued growth, sharing insights on emerging models and trends within the industry.

Experts on the panel included Dr. Karen Meador, Managing Director at BDO USA LLP, Gregg Osenkowski, Principal at Sverica Capital Management LLC, and Wyatt Ritchie, Managing Director at Cain Brothers & Company, LLC.

Here are five key takeaways from the panel discussion:

1. Urgent Care and Primary Care are Merging. Urgent care was once thought of as an “after-hours alternative” to traditional, primary care physicians; however, urgent care clinics and other health care providers are now partnering to benefit each other through a “catch and release” model, whereby urgent care centers partner with the patient’s primary care physician to ensure continuity of care. Panelists noted that this trend is even more pronounced in established markets, where larger healthcare systems are well-known amongst the patient population. If entering into such an established market, panelists emphasized the need to focus on building a relationship with primary care physicians and integrating into the community to best ensure continued success.

2. Consider Both the Pros and Cons of Partnering with an Established Health System. Hospitals and health systems are often looking to expand their service lines and grow their market share, making urgent care an attractive investment. Partnering with an established health system provides the benefits of integration into the community, established branding, and can often serve as a strategic exit for investors. On the other hand, panelists noted that larger health systems often suffer more significant losses in the urgent care space and are not as nimble when forced to adjust to industry trends.

3. Telemedicine is Growing in Popularity. As value-based care models gain momentum, the growth of telemedicine continues to rise in popularity. Accordingly, urgent care centers are implementing telemedicine models, and panelists expect to see continued efforts throughout the industry. The panelists noted that telemedicine should be embraced for multiple reasons. Telemedicine allows urgent care centers to expand their services by providing a greater number of patients with convenient access to care at all hours of the day. Further, telemedicine offers urgent care centers a way to expand into additional markets, such as counseling or therapy. Payors are also aligning—compensating at rates close to in-office visits. Nonetheless, some panelists caution that although telemedicine offers a plethora of benefits, the urgent care industry should be cognizant so as not to allow telemedicine to supersede or replace in-person patient visits in their entirety.

4. Development of New Service Lines. Patients often choose urgent care because of its ease, convenience, and efficiency. As such, urgent care clinics are focusing on additional ways to drive patient-centric care. For example, expansion in urgent care service lines is on the rise, with many urgent care centers offering more specialization in areas such as behavioral health, dermatology, and weight management. This increased specialization in urgent care is also taking shape in the centers themselves, with pediatric, maternity, and orthopedic-specific urgent care centers growing in popularity.

5. Retail-Based Care Centers are on the Rise. Retail clinics, such as those often found inside grocery or drug stores, offer walk-in health care similar to that offered in freestanding urgent care centers. Notably, however, not all retail clinics are considered urgent care clinics as only some reach the urgent care center standards, and most focus solely on the treatment of less complex illnesses, such as the common cold, allergies, or sore throats. Nevertheless, as retail clinics begin expanding their service lines and aligning with payors, greater competition amongst these similar yet fragmented markets is expected.

Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity Deal Tracker: KKR Acquires Majority Stake in Heartland Dental

By Geoff Cockrell on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

KKR has announced it has acquired a majority interest in Heartland Dental.

Heartland Dental, based in Effingham, Ill., is a U.S. dental support organization, providing non-clinical administrative support services to more than 840 offices and 1,300 dentists across 35 states.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) & Co., based in New York, considers investments in all industries, including healthcare. The firm is publicly traded under the ticker symbol KKR. It prefers to invest in a range of debt and public equity investing and may co-invest, seeking a controlling ownership of a company or a strategic minority position.

In this latest example of the continuing investor excitement in the dental industry, KKR is acquiring the stake from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and other existing shareholders, with Ontario Teachers’ retaining sizeable ownership.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Cigna Acquisition of Express Scripts Creates Opportunities, Challenges for Private Equity Investors

By Amber Walsh on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

Cigna Corp. has announced it will acquire Express Scripts Holding Co. in a transaction valued at approximately $67 billion.

This is the latest major transaction which reflects the ongoing evolution of unique payer-provider partnerships. We have previously noted that similar unique transactions, such as the 2017 acquisition of Surgical Care Affiliates by UnitedHealth Group’s health services arm Optum, show the ongoing interest in such partnerships.

For private equity investors, these transactions may present opportunities, such as new exits and unique, joint-venture projects with new players. They may also present challenges as payers become more of a competitor for attractive deals.

ASC and OBL Investment and Development: 5 Key Points

By Amber Walsh on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

The next in our series of posts sharing key takeaways from panels at the Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity and Lending Conference focuses on ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and office-based lab (OBL) investment and development. It is authored by our colleagues Chris DeGrande and Jason Greis.

***

ASC and OBL Investment and Development: 5 Key Points

By Chris DeGrande and Jason Greis

As there continues to be a move toward performing certain procedures in outpatient settings, ambulatory surgery centers (“ASCs”) and office-based laboratories (“OBLs”) continue to be areas of interest for private equity investment. This trend was explored by experts who spoke on a panel at the McGuireWoods 15th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity & Finance Conference on Wednesday, February 21. Experts included Jan Dees, President of American Vascular Access; Dr. James McGuckin, President of Vascular Access Centers; Terry Litchfield, Patient Advocate of Access Solutions; and Joan G. Dentler, President and CEO of Avanza Healthcare Strategies.

Here are five key points from the panel discussion:

1. ASCs and OBLs have both arisen out of a desire by patients and physicians alike to be able to safely perform procedures in a more welcoming and cost-effective outpatient setting. This outpatient setting gives physicians the ability to increase their efficiency and perform cases that otherwise might be bumped from hospital procedure schedules if an emergency arises.

2. Panelists reported that physicians are able to provide more efficient services in an ASC or OBL compared to a hospital environment. These types of facilities can tailor the procedures and schedules around patient needs, or even provide specific types of procedures on certain days in compliance with state laws, thereby reducing turnover time between such procedures.

3. Since ASC reimbursement is generally higher than OBL reimbursement, an increasing number of OBLs have considered converting their facilities to ASCs. However, panelists warned that OBLs should give careful consideration before implementing such a change. First, there can be significant build out costs and working capital needs associated with development of an ASC. Second, ASC operating costs are generally higher as a result of additional patient safety and heightened regulatory requirements associated with operating an ASC. Finally, in some states converting a facility to an ASC may require a certificate of need, which may be difficult and time consuming to obtain.

4. There are many opportunities for expansion and use of OBLs and ASCs. Panelists reported that they have seen the use of “hybrid” facilities, where a facility operates as an ASC on certain days of the week and an OBL on other days in compliance with applicable State laws. This structure potentially allows a facility to provide a wider range of patient care services.

5. Commercial payor issues are important considerations for OBLs and ASCs alike. Whether developing an ASC or an OBL, it is important to engage with payors early in the development process both to attempt to obtain in-network status, if desired, and to explain the operational structure of the proposed facility. Payors are less likely to contract with providers if they believe that a proposed arrangement is likely to result in higher costs to members.

The Next Wave of Consolidation in PPM Models: Podiatry, Allergy and Fertility? – 5 Key Points

By Geoff Cockrell on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

The next in our series of posts sharing key takeaways from panels at the Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity and Lending Conference focuses on consolidation in physician practice management (PPM) models. It is co-authored with Sarah Mick.

***

The Next Wave of Consolidation in PPM Models: Podiatry, Allergy and Fertility? – 5 Key Points

By Geoff Cockrell and Sarah Mick

Podiatry, allergy and fertility are specialties that are gaining certain interest and present the opportunity to leverage a first-mover advantage for private equity investment and consolidation, according to experts who spoke on a panel at McGuireWoods 15th Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity and Finance Conference on February 21.

Experts included Fritz Buerger, Investment Banking, William Blair; Christian Pesci, Director, Cain Brothers & Company, LLC; Taylor Phelps, Sr. VP, Healthcare Services, Raymond James Investment Banking; Mitchell Stern, Managing Director, Dresner Partners; and Geoffrey Cockrell, Partner, McGuireWoods LLP as the panel moderator.

Here are five key points from the panel discussion.

1. Having remained largely untouched by outside investment and general merger activity, the podiatry, allergy and fertility markets are highly fragmented leaving significant room for consolidation.

2. While the ability to grow outside of major (or urban) markets may present certain challenges, the specialty of fertility, in particular, is one that frequently draws from an expansive patient population and geographic area extending beyond the local market.

3. These specialties yield the potential to encompass a number of ancillary service offerings (such as pharmaceuticals in connection with an allergy practice). Additionally, valuable synergies may be created by adding such specialties as an ancillary service offering to other complementary practices (e.g., the addition of fertility to a women’s health practice).

4. Many of the specialists in these fields are currently doing relatively well to date so a successful strategy will likely emphasize the added value that alignment with a private equity platform brings in terms of management and strategic support (in addition to capital) in this continually changing healthcare environment.

5. Out of the three specialties, fertility appears to be gaining the most attention and traction.

Running a Smooth Sale Process: Tips for Sellers – 5 Key Points

By Amber Walsh on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

We were pleased to have record-breaking attendance at our annual Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity and Lending Conference. The deep-dive discussions into various sectors, and on the industry and deal-making generally, were extensive and produced interesting discussion.

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be publishing a series of posts with key takeaways from various conference panels. The first piece is authored by our colleagues Holly Buckley and Kerri Zelensek.

***

Running a Smooth Sale Process: Tips for Sellers – 5 Key Points

By Kerri Zelensek and Holly Buckley

Even in a sellers’ market, there are certain steps that sellers can take in advance of and during the sale process that will help the sale process run smoothly and help sellers better achieve their desired end result, according to experts who spoke on a panel at the Annual Healthcare and Life Sciences Private Equity & Finance Conference in Chicago on February 21 and 22.

Experts included William D. Spizman, CPA, Partner and Great Lake Market Leader – Transactions Advisory Services at RSM US LLP, Michael Ory, Managing Director – Healthcare Services at Raymond James Investment Banking, Steve Reynolds, Principal at Trivest and Brian Doyle, Managing Director – Healthcare at William Blair.

Here are five key points from the panel discussion.

1. Early 2018 continues to be a sellers’ market. Strong equity and debt markets combined with both strategic and financial buyers that successfully raised or had cash on hand resulted in healthy competition among buyers and a great dynamic for sellers in 2017. Although the debt and equity markets are experiencing increased volatility so far in 2018, this year looks like another strong year for sellers. The change in tax policy is also likely to stimulate investment and fuel the economy.  Those who have been contemplating a sale should consider the seller favorable market conditions and determine if 2018 is the right time.

2. Preparation prior to the sale process is key to running a successful sale. Sellers and their advisors should take steps to prepare for the sale process prior to issuing marketing materials to potential buyers. These steps might include organizing documents and creating a data room for purposes of buyer diligence, analyzing the businesses’ past performance and preparing to address any problems or outliers in performance and, in a highly regulated industry such as healthcare, engaging a third party to confirm regulatory compliance prior to the process. Even before advisors are involved, a company that is contemplating a sale should collect meaningful data in order to measure the success of the business. The company should track certain metrics related to the business in addition to the usual accounting metrics to display the company’s past performance and growth.

3. The sale process will differ for each seller and is constantly evolving. Generally the sale process consists of four steps: (i) preparation of business and marketing materials, (ii) issuance of marketing materials and first round bids, (iii) meetings with management and financial diligence by potential buyers, followed by second round bids and (iv) the final phase, including completion of diligence and finalization of purchase documents. Although negotiating with multiple buyers through step (iv) increases the likelihood of closing on a sale and could potentially increase the final price, each seller should consider the needs of the seller’s business and the time their team has to spend on the transaction. For some sellers, it makes more sense to commit to exclusivity with one potential buyer in order to avoid having to run multiple separate sale processes, while others have the manpower to maintain the operations of the business while running multiple sale processes, potentially creating competition among buyers and increasing the chance of a successful deal at the end of stage (iv).

4. Sellers and buyers should consider things other than the purchase price when making a decision about a sale. A founder selling his or her business should consider what his or her ideal role in the company will be following the sale. Oftentimes founders plan to retire or move on to another venture following a sale, but generally a  buyer expects the founder to stay with the company for a period of time post-closing, as the buyer might view the founder as one of the most valuable assets of the company.  Sellers should also consider how the seller’s company fits in with potential buyers’ overall business and potential buyers’ level of expertise in the seller’s industry.  Sellers should ask these questions of potential buyers early on in the sale process, as they may be just as important as the financial terms of the transaction.

5. Buyers are increasingly focused on data, specifically third-party verified data. Buyers, particularly financial buyers, are increasingly focused on reviewing, analyzing and understanding verified, third party data during the sales process to value the company and make decisions.  In addition to audited financials and business metrics monitored by the seller, as mentioned above, sellers should consider obtaining a quality of earnings report and/ or a market promoter score from a third party – which are seen by many financial buyers as extremely valuable diligence materials.

Women in Private Equity to Know: Elizabeth Burgess

By Amber Walsh on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing
McGuireWoods has long been an avid supporter of the advancement of professional women. As part of our initiative seeking to expand the leadership of women in private equity, we are profiling women leaders in private equity throughout 2018. We are hopeful that this series will serve to inspire other women to pursue their careers in private equity in a way that best challenges and motivates them, which these impressive women have all done. This month, we are pleased to feature Elizabeth Burgess of Bridges Fund Management. Access her profile by clicking here.

To recommend a woman for a future interview, email Amber Walsh at awalsh@mcguirewoods.com.

Leading Private Equity Firms That Invest in Healthcare (Part VI)

By Amber Walsh and Geoff Cockrell on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

Throughout 2016 and 2017, we published a multi-part series highlighting leading private equity funds in healthcare. This publication is Part VI in that series. These investors are primarily funds that focus largely on growth-stage, buyout and platform funding transactions, and the sheer number of investors is a real testament to investors’ views of healthcare as a solid investment play. Note: The investors discussed in this Part VI and in prior and subsequent parts of this series are listed in no particular order. To recommend a firm to be profiled in a future column or request a change to a profile, please email awalsh@mcguirewoods.com or fill out the form here.

Apple Tree Partners — Founded in 1999, Apple Tree is a private equity and venture capital firm that specializes in startup, early venture and growth capital investments. The firm, based in New York, invests in therapeutics and medical devices. Companies in its portfolio include Braeburn Pharmaceuticals, a developer of solutions for people living with opioid addiction; Stoke Therapeutics, which focuses on gene expression to treat a wide array of diseases caused by genetic insufficiency; and ROX Medical, a late-stage medical device company developing a device treatment of drug resistant hypertension. More information about Apple Tree is available at www.appletreepartners.com.

Petra Capital Partners — Founded in 1996, Petra provides growth capital for middle-market companies. The firm, based in Nashville, targets companies with at least $10 million in revenue and positive EBITDA at the time of investment and a growth rate in excess of 20% in healthcare services and a few other sectors. Companies in its portfolio include Etairos Health, a provider of non-skilled home-based care for the elderly in select Florida and southeastern markets; Alternative Behavior Strategies, a provider of in-home and center-based applied behavior analysis therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy services to children with autism spectrum disorder; and Health Essentials, a provider of hospice services throughout the western United States. More information about Petra is available at www.petracapital.com.

BelHealth Investment Partners — Founded in 2011, BelHealth is a healthcare private equity firm focused on lower middle-market companies. Based in New York, the firm seeks to investment between $20 million and $50 million in healthcare companies providing services and products and distribution. BelHealth manages approximately $500 million in assets and is currently investing out of BelHealth II, a $350 million fund. Companies in its portfolio include American Health Staffing Group, a national staffing platform; Care Advantage, a home healthcare provider in Virginia; and Integrated Care Physicians, a provider of emergency department medical directorship and management services. More information about BelHealth is available at www.belhealth.com.

TripleTree — Founded in 1997, TripleTree an independent merchant bank focused on mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring and principal investing services (through TT Capital Partners). Based in Minneapolis, the firm targets disruptive healthcare companies. Companies in its portfolio include Forward Health Group, a provider of population health management software; NucleusHealth, a developer of cloud-based medical image management software; and Verge Health, a provider of integrated governance, risk and compliance solutions to hospitals. More information about TripleTree is available at www.triple-tree.com.

Blue Wolf Capital Partners — Founded in 2005, Blue Wolf seeks control investments in middle-market companies. Based in New York, the firm typically invests between $25 million and $250 million in companies with annual revenue more than $50 million within healthcare and several other industries. Companies in its portfolio include StateServ, a provider of durable medical equipment services to hospices; Great Lakes Caring, a provider of home health and hospice care serving the Midwest and Northeastern United States; and ModernMD, a provider of urgent care services. More information about Blue Wolf is available at www.bluewolfcapital.com.

Great Hill Partners — Founded in 1998, Great Hill seeks to invest in middle-market companies in several sectors, including healthcare technology. The firm, based in Boston, typically invests $25 million to $200 million in equity in each investment, targeting companies with an enterprise value of $25 million to $500 million. Companies in its portfolio include Quantum Health, a provider of consumer healthcare navigation services; RxBenefits, a healthcare benefits company focused on pharmacy benefit procurement and administration; and Qualifacts Systems, which builds and implements software-as-a-service and web-based electronic health records and billing systems for behavioral health and human services. More information about Great Hill is available at www.greathillpartners.com.

Prairie Capital — Founded in 1997, Prairie targets lower middle-market companies. Based in Chicago, the firm makes market recapitalization or buyout transactions consisting of equity and supportive subordinated debt in aggregate amounts of $10 million to 30 million per investment in several sectors, including healthcare. Companies in its current portfolio include Swiss-American Products, Inc., a developer and manufacturer of skin and wound care products, and R3 Education, a holding company that controls The Saba University School of Medicine, The Medical University of the Americas and St. Matthew University. More information about Prairie is available at www.prairie-capital.com.

Silversmith Capital Partners — Founded in 2015, Silversmith is a growth equity firm. Based in Boston, the firm seeks to invest $15 million to $75 million in healthcare and technology companies with growth greater than 20% and scale greater than $10 million in revenue. Companies in its current portfolio include Centauri Health Solutions, a provider of risk adjustment and healthcare quality solutions; Nordic Consulting Partners, an Epic consulting company; and LifeStance Health, a behavioral healthcare company focused on providing treatment services for children, adolescents and adults suffering from a variety of mental health issues in care settings that include acute inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, community-based and in-home. More information about Silversmith is available at www.silversmithcapital.com.

Guidon Partners — Founded in 2014, Guidon makes co-investments in growth companies and management buyouts. Based in Reston, Va., the firm specializes in the healthcare services industry. Companies in its portfolio include Performance Health, a specialty distributor of rehabilitation supplies and equipment; Physicians Endoscopy, a developer, owner and manager of endoscopic surgery centers; and DuPage Medical Group, an independent, multi-specialty physician group. More information about Guidon is available at www.guidonpartners.com.

Avista Capital Partners — Founded in 2005, Avista makes middle market control buyout investments. Based in New York, the firm focuses exclusively on the healthcare sector. Companies in its portfolio include Inform Diagnostics, an independent anatomic pathology provider; National Spine & Pain Centers, which provides administrative services to interventional pain management clinics focused on chronic back and neck pain; OptiNose, a specialty pharmaceutical company; and Osmotica Pharmaceutical, a specialty pharmaceutical and generics company. More information about Avista is available at www.avistacap.com.

InTandem Capital Partners — InTandem focuses on acquiring and accelerating growth of middle-market companies. Based in New York, the firm targets companies within healthcare and insurance services, primarily those with $5 million to $15 million EBITDA. Companies in its portfolio include Cano Health, an operator of “primary care plus” healthcare centers, and Comfort Health, an operator of Medicare HMO and Medicaid healthcare centers. More information about InTandem is available at www.intandemcapital.com.

Latticework Capital — Founded in 2015, Latticework makes control equity investments in the lower middle-market. Based in Dallas, the firm focuses exclusively on healthcare, specifically providers, pharmaceutical services, medical components and equipment, and business services to providers with $1 million to $10 million in EBITDA. Companies in its portfolio include Restoration Behavioral Health Group, which specializes in treating the chemical and mental health needs of individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system back into their communities; American Veterinary Group, an acquirer and operator of animal hospitals in the Southeastern United States; Liberty Dialysis, a dialysis services company providing dialysis to patients who have been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease; and Chronic Care Solutions, a provider of products and disease management services predominantly serving diabetic patients. More information about Latticework is available at www.latticeworkcapital.com.

HarbourVest Partners — Founded in 1982, HarbourVest is a global private markets investment firm specializing in primary fund investments, secondary investments and direct co-investments. With U.S. operations based in Boston, the firm targets companies in healthcare and several other sectors. Companies in its portfolio include Press Ganey, a provider of patient satisfaction surveys, management reports and databases for health providers; United Surgical Partners International, a manager and developer of acute-care hospitals and surgery centers; and MedOptions, a provider of post-acute behavioral health services. More information about HarbourVest is available at www.harbourvest.com.

GI Partners — Founded in 2001, GI Partners seeks to invest in North American middle-market companies. Based in San Francisco, the firm is active in several sectors, including healthcare, making initial equity investments of up to $500 million. Companies in its portfolio include Access, a provider of records and information management services and Netsmart, a human services and integrated care technology provider. More information about GI Partners is available at www.gipartners.com.

Primus Capital — Founded in 1984, Primus is a growth-oriented private equity firm which takes a flexible approach to its investment. With offices in Cleveland and Atlanta, the firm targets companies in healthcare, specifically services and information technology, and a few other sectors with enterprise values up to $250 million for investments of $15 million to $70 million. Companies in its portfolio include EnableComp, a provider of workers’ compensation reimbursement solutions; Healthcare Bluebook, a provider of cost and quality transparency solutions; and Steris, a provider of infection prevention and sterilization products and services. Learn more about Primus at www.primuscapital.com.

Health Evolution Partners — Health Evolution specializes in direct and fund of funds investments. Based in San Francisco, the firm focuses exclusively on healthcare, seeking opportunities in areas including hospitals, physicians, managed care, pharmaceutical developers, device makers and consumer products and services. Companies in its portfolio include Prolacta Bioscience, a developer of products derived from human milk to meet the needs of premature infants in the NICU, and Foundation Radiology Group, a provider of diagnostic imaging services to community hospitals.

Pouschine Cook Capital Management — Found in 1999, Pouschine Cook invests in private middle-market companies. Based in New York, the firm targets companies with revenues of $20 million to $250 million, minimum EBITDA of $5 million and an equity need of $5 million to $25 million in healthcare services and several other sectors. Companies in its portfolio include Golden State Dermatology, which provides physician practice management services to dermatology providers; Southern Dental Alliance, a dental services organization that provides business and non-clinical support services to dental practices; and Griswold Home Care, a national franchisor of non-nursing, home care services for seniors. More information about Pouschine Cook is available at www.pouschinecook.com.

Healthcare & Life Sciences Private Equity Deal Tracker: Pharos Capital Acquires Behavior Care Specialists

By Geoff Cockrell on Posted in Healthcare Services Investing

Pharos Capital Group announced it has acquired Behavior Care Specialists.

Behavior Care Specialists, based in Sioux Falls, S.D., is an outpatient treatment provider of autism spectrum disorder services in four states: South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota and Wyoming.

Pharos Capital, with offices in Dallas and Nashville, considers a variety of investments in lower- and middle-market companies primarily in healthcare and business services.

The acquisition was completed through Pharos Capital’s Family Treatment Network platform, which manage the firm’s investments in special schools, psychiatric residential treatment centers and community-based programs for children, adolescents and their families.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.