1. Who is making the biggest impact on health tech right now?
Erin Brodwin: Behavioral health companies, Big Tech players, and startups working to disrupt PBMs, like Mark Cuban's newco.
Sarah Pringle: Those that play at the intersection of data analytics and/or enterprise technology, pharma services and digital health, where companies like Tempus and Komodo Health are revolutionizing life sciences research and precision medicine.
While much of the recent health care buzz has focused on using tech to provide affluent people with more convenient care, these two companies represent a crop of pioneering startups that's tailoring its services to people in most need of care — those who are covered by Medicaid and Medicare.
Sarah: This story on IBM exploring a sale of Watson Health, along with this follow-up piece featuring exclusive financial details around Francisco Partners' subsequent carveout of the unit.
The transaction reflects a bigger trend around the challenges that Big Tech faces when setting out to revolutionize health care, while also highlighting the advantages of a private equity mindset.
Employer-facing digital health companies will continue to expand by acquiring smaller businesses in complementary verticals. But ultimately, I think only the companies with thoughtful integration strategies in the backend will win.
Behavioral health is blowing up across VC and PE, but I wonder whether these companies will ultimately be acquired by broader virtual care companies (Teladoc, Omada for example) or merge into independent behavioral health giants (like we've seen with Ginger and Headspace)
Sarah:
The disconnect between private and public market valuations. As we watch to see if one goes up or down, expect to see more M&A in the private markets as long as the IPO window remains closed for business.
Data is becoming more valuable in healthcare as more data-as-a-service companies take shape. Whether that's PointClickCare or Datavant, or those targeting the life sciences industry, we'll be watching how funding follows those companies that are helping constituents ranging from clinicians to pharma (and pharma reps) make better decisions — ultimately improving care and advancing medicine.
4. Your personal favorite health product or service?
Erin: My Oura ring, because it tells me when to rest, and my primary care doctor (whom I see in person) because he's awesome.
Sarah: I'm a bit of a minimalist these days, but I'm a big fan of my PE- and VC-backed dermatology group in NYC, which has great virtual offerings. I also recently tried Health Advocate for the first time… verdict TBD.
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