Global VC funding in digital health at record high of USD 4.9 bn in Jan-Jun: Report

Venture capital funding in digital health sector reached a record high of USD 4.9 billion in January-June, 2018 as global tech giants expanded their presence in the space, says a report.

According to communications and research firm Mercom Capital Group llc, the global VC funding of USD 4.9 billion came through 383 deals.

The figure stood at USD 4 billion through 359 deals in January-June, 2017.

"Digital health continues to grow at a record pace and is well on its way to smashing 2017's record of USD 7.2 billion in VC funding," Mercom Capital Group CEO and Co-Founder Raj Prabhu said.

As per the report, the total VC funding in April-June held strong at USD 2.4 billion via 196 deals, including 20 Indian healthcare IT companies.

"The space is maturing and is beginning to get the regulatory attention it deserves. Simultaneously, the tech giants are boosting digital health in a big way," Prabhu said.

Meanwhile, the total corporate funding in digital health companies - including VC, debt, and public market financing also touched a record high of USD 4.4 billion during April-June 2018 compared to USD 3 billion in the previous March quarter.

In terms of merger and acquisition, there were 116 global digital health M&A transactions in the first half of this year compared to 90 in the corresponding period last year.

"M&A activity was also up, and overall, it was a very robust first half of 2018 for digital health companies," Prabhu said.