Houlihan Lokey Advises Fishawack Health

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Fishawack Health (FH), a global commercialization partner for biopharmaceutical, medical technology, and wellness companies, has acquired Avalere Health, a leading healthcare consulting and advisory firm, from Inovalon. The transaction closed on June 2, 2022.

FH is a leading global commercialization partner for the biopharmaceutical, medical technology, and wellness industries. Established in 2001, the company’s 1,300+ healthcare experts combine their knowledge and expertise across four core disciplines—medical; marketing; policy, access, value, and evidence; and consulting.

In an environment that demands a 360-degree perspective, Avalere brings innovative, data-driven solutions to complex healthcare challenges. Avalere is a healthcare consulting firm that operates at the intersection of policy, access, and transformation. The company relies on expansive, proprietary data to derive insights and imagine what does not yet exist. Its capabilities are best-in-class individually but unite in seamless, integrated offerings based on each client’s unique challenge. Its services are underpinned by deep expertise in data and analytics, including proprietary applications in health economics and market access, and analytics-driven digital marketing.

The move marks the largest expansion of FH to date and allows clients to benefit from integrated offerings spanning policy, access, value, and evidence. The addition of Avalere’s more than 200 advisors deepens FH’s U.S. market presence and diversifies its customer base. “Avalere is renowned for helping clients identify business strategies that navigate the evolving healthcare landscape. From policy to market access and transformation, the team offers a 360-degree perspective that reflects the interconnected nature of the healthcare system,” said Jon Koch, CEO at FH. “Avalere complements Fishawack’s global footprint with a deep understanding of U.S. markets and public policy, including key government and commercial stakeholders. We are excited to welcome Avalere to FH.”

FH and its principal investor, Bridgepoint, acquired Avalere from Inovalon, a leading provider of cloud-based platforms that empower data-driven healthcare. The divestiture will allow both Inovalon and Avalere to focus on their respective missions and goals.

Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive financial advisor to Fishawack Health and Bridgepoint. This deal highlights Houlihan Lokey’s leading experience in the pharma services space and represents the firm’s 16th transaction in this sector since 2019.