44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference 2026 Commences in San Francisco with Industry Leaders and Dealmakers The world’s largest healthcare investment symposium kicks off today, running through January 15, 2026, at the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco, bringing together global industry leaders, emerging companies, innovative technology creators, and the investment community. The conference features keynote addresses from JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. Key panel discussions include OpenAI in healthcare, federated AI in oncology, women’s health innovation, and ARPA-H initiatives. Major pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Teva, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Merck, Moderna, and Samsung Biologics are presenting throughout the four-day event. (Link)
Anthropic Launches Claude for Healthcare at JPM26, Partners with Banner Health, Stanford Health Care, and Novo Nordisk The AI company debuted Claude for Healthcare, a HIPAA-ready platform designed for payers, providers, and health systems, extending its Claude model into regulated healthcare environments. It offers secure integrations with databases such as CMS Coverage, ICD‑10, PubMed, and the National Provider Identifier Registry, supporting workflows like medical coding, claims management, and prior authorization. The launch, following Claude for Life Sciences, adds specialized tools for interoperability, clinical documentation, and real‑time analytics. Existing users—including Banner Health, Stanford Health Care, Sanofi, AbbVie, and Genmab—use Claude to automate administrative workflows and improve clinical and operational efficiency. (Link)
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) to acquire Ventyx Biosciences (NASD: VTYX) for $1.2 Billion to Advance Oral Inflammatory Disease Therapies The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant will pay $14.00 per share in an all-cash transaction representing a 62% premium to Ventyx’s 30-day volume-weighted average trading price. The San Diego clinical-stage company develops NLRP3 inhibitors targeting chronic inflammation across cardiometabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory disorders. Dr. Daniel Skovronsky emphasized the acquisition strengthens Lilly’s capabilities in delivering advances for patients with challenging diseases. Entities affiliated with New Science Ventures and all Ventyx directors and officers signed voting agreements representing approximately 10% of outstanding common stock. The transaction requires Ventyx stockholder approval and regulatory clearances, expected to close in first half 2026. (Link)
Aktis Oncology (NASD: AKTS) raises $318M in Upsized IPO with backing from Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck’s MRL Ventures Fund, Eli Lilly and Pfizer to Advance Radiopharmaceutical Cancer Therapies The company sold 17.6 million shares at $18 each, exceeding its initial estimate of 11.8 million shares priced between $16-$18, making it the largest biotech IPO since last year’s offerings from Metsera, LB Pharmaceuticals, and MapLight Therapeutics. Proceeds could increase by $47.6 million if underwriters exercise their option to purchase 2.6 million additional shares. The biotech allocated $140-$150 million to fund its ongoing U.S. phase 1b study of miniprotein radiopharmaceutical Ac-AKY-1189 for Nectin-4 expressing tumours, with results expected first quarter 2027, and $70-$80 million for phase 1b launch of Ac-AKY-2519 targeting B7-H3 expressing tumours. Shares begin trading Friday on Nasdaq under ticker “AKTS.” (Link)
Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) partners with InduPro in Deal Worth Up to $950M to Develop Cancer Therapeutics The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company will collaborate on up to three undisclosed cancer targets while making an equity investment of undisclosed amount. InduPro will lead early discovery using its AI/ML-enabled membrane interactomics platform to create bi- and tri-specific therapeutics. The Seattle and Cambridge-based biotech analyses tumour antigen proximity to discover disease-specific protein-target pairs for developing bispecific antibody-drug conjugates and multispecific T-cell engagers. This marks InduPro’s second major pharma partnership following December’s collaboration with Sanofi on bispecific PD-1 agonist antibodies. InduPro raised $85 million in series A financing in June 2024, with lead candidate IDP-003 currently in studies enabling human testing. (Link)
Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) acquires Vivasure Medical Limited for €100M Upfront Plus Contingent Payments The Boston-based medical technology company purchased the Galway, Ireland firm to expand its presence in large-bore closure markets for structural heart and endovascular procedures. Vivasure’s PerQseal® Elite system uses a proprietary bioabsorbable patch to seal arteriotomies and venotomies up to 26 F from inside the vessel. The ELITE arterial study showed 0% major complications at thirty-day follow-up with immediate median time to haemostasis. Additional contingent consideration of up to €85 million depends on sales growth and milestone achievement. CEO Andrew Glass emphasized joining Haemonetics provides global scale to accelerate technology availability worldwide. (Link)
Merck (NYSE: MRK) Completes $9 Billion Acquisition of Cidara Therapeutics for CD388 Influenza Drug Merck finalized its acquisition of Cidara through a tender offer at $221.50 per share, with 85.96% of outstanding shares tendered. The deal brings CD388, a potentially first-in-class long-acting antiviral for influenza prevention, into Merck’s respiratory portfolio. The investigational drug-Fc conjugate shows broad activity against influenza A and B strains and is designed to provide season-long protection for high-risk individuals without requiring immune response activation. Cidara becomes a wholly owned subsidiary, with its stock delisted from Nasdaq. (Link)
IntelyCare acquires CareRev to Expand Healthcare Workforce Management Platform The tech-enabled staffing platform purchased the acute care labour marketplace to create a comprehensive clinical labour solution addressing critical workforce shortages across healthcare settings. The combined entity will operate both brands, offering integrated services spanning job boards, recruiting, contingent labour, and internal resource pools through a single technology platform. CEO Matthew Levesque emphasized the merger helps facilities efficiently manage permanent staff and contingent workers while maintaining care quality. IntelyCare previously achieved unicorn status with a $115 million Series C round in April 2022. Investors LRVHealth and Transformation Capital praised the strategic combination’s potential to lead workforce transformation in the healthcare sector. (Link)
Verana Health merges with COTA to Expand Real-World Data Offerings Across Oncology and Specialties The combined entity will serve 17 of the top 20 global biopharma companies with access to over 95 million patients and 20,000 clinicians, including network expansion to more than 30 Academic Medical Centers. COTA’s oncology focus complements Verana Health’s existing data platforms in ophthalmology, urology, and neurology. The portfolio supports clinical trials, drug submissions, health economics research, and market-access strategies. Existing institutional investors committed an additional $52 million in equity investment. CEO Sujay Jadhav emphasized the combination raises standards for clinical expertise, data quality, and transparency across multiple therapeutic areas. (Link)
Veritas Capital to acquire Majority Stake in Global Healthcare Exchange from Temasek and Warburg Pincus Veritas Capital will partner with existing shareholders to accelerate GHX’s growth strategy in healthcare supply chain software. The cloud-based platform connects providers and suppliers, serving Gartner’s top 25 U.S. healthcare systems and top 30 global medical-surgical suppliers. Through AI-driven automation and intelligent decision support, the company has delivered over $27 billion in savings over three years. The investment will enable faster product innovation, organic and inorganic growth opportunities, and enhanced AI capabilities to improve supply chain efficiency and patient care delivery. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. (Link)
RadNet (NASD: RDNT) acquires Radiology Regional from LucidHealth, Expanding to Southwest Florida The acquisition brings 13 imaging centers across Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte and Sarasota into RadNet’s network. Radiology Regional has provided multi-modality imaging services including MRI, CT, PET/CT, mammography, ultrasound and X-ray for half a century. The expansion adds approximately 400 employees and 44 contracted radiologists to RadNet’s existing five Florida locations. RadNet plans to deploy its DeepHealth AI-powered innovations to enhance clinical accuracy and streamline imaging processes. The deal is projected to contribute approximately $100 million in revenue during 2026, supporting growing demand for advanced imaging services in Florida’s rapidly expanding population. (Link)
Corewell Health and Quest Diagnostics Form Joint Venture for Laboratory Services in Michigan The 51%-49% joint venture, Diagnostic Lab of Michigan, LLC, will establish a 100,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility at Corewell Health Southfield Center featuring automated microbiology and high-throughput molecular testing. Quest will provide Collaborative Lab Solutions including reference testing, professional management, workforce and supply chain services for all 21 Corewell Health hospital labs statewide, which will remain operational. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026, with most laboratory services beginning in 2026 and the new facility operational by Q1 2027. Existing patient service centers will continue operating under joint venture management until the new laboratory opens. (Link)
Venture and Other News
AirNexis secures $200M Series A Led by Frazier Life Sciences with OrbiMed, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, SR One; Licenses Haisco Pharmaceutical’s COPD Asset in $955M Deal Founded by Frazier Life Sciences, the California biotech obtained exclusive rights outside China to HSK39004 (AN01), a PDE3/4 inhibitor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for $40 million upfront. Haisco will hold 19.9% equity and earn potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments plus royalties. The dual-mechanism inhaler launched three phase 2 trials in 2025, testing different dosage forms including inhalation suspension and powder designed to expand airways and reduce inflammation. The series A round included participation from OrbiMed, Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, SR One, Longitude Capital and Enavate Sciences. CEO Maria Fardis, former Lassen Therapeutics chief, leads the startup. (Link)
Pomelo Care banks $92M Series C Led by Stripes with Andreessen Horowitz, PLUS Capital, Atomico, BoxGroup, and SV Angel to Expand Virtual Women’s and Paediatric Healthcare The startup, now valued at $1.7 billion, is expanding beyond maternity care to reproductive health, paediatrics, hormonal health, and menopause services. Pomelo partners with health plans and employers, covering over 25 million lives and supporting nearly 7% of U.S. births. Independent studies show the platform reduces total care costs, lowers NICU and ER utilization, and delivers 3-5x ROI through outcomes including 37% fewer preterm births and 46% reduction in emergency room visits. The company has raised ~ $171 million to date and recently launched a midlife care program demonstrating 88% symptom reduction in 60 days. (Link)
Ventaris Surgical raises $30M Series A Led by Longitude Capital and Vensana Capital with Atypical Ventures, Neotribe Ventures, and Boutique Venture Partners The San Carlos-based medical device company is developing a ureteroscopic system designed to improve complete stone clearance during kidney stone procedures. CEO Surag Mantri emphasized the technology removes unnecessary friction from surgeries, allowing surgeons to focus on achieving consistent outcomes. Varun Gupta of Longitude Capital and Justin Klein of Vensana Capital will join the Board of Directors alongside independent member Amir Abolfathi. Proceeds will support continued clinical development and advancement toward regulatory and commercial milestones. Maxwell Bikoff noted the technology addresses critical unmet needs in current standard of care for one of the most common urologic interventions. (Link)
Canopy raises $22M Series B Led by 111° West Capital and ACME Capital to Expand Healthcare Staff Safety Platform The San Francisco-based company’s platform is deployed across 60 major U.S. health systems supporting over 300,000 healthcare workers in more than 1,200 buildings. The technology addresses workplace violence, which has increased 63% over the past five years, through discreet duress alerts and real-time situational awareness. Current clients include Boston Children’s Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, and University of Michigan Health–Sparrow. CEO Shan Sinha emphasized the platform’s safety-first architecture as a core operational requirement. Bharat Sundaram, CEO of Hallmark Healthcare Solutions, joins the board. Funding will accelerate nationwide expansion and rollout of operational tools including Canopy Find and Canopy Track. (Link)
