Blockchain’s $193B Bet on Healthcare | Hear From Jon Ledecky, Bobby Sharma, Julia Wittlin, Ben Fund & More

Good morning, ! This week we’re diving into the sustained growth of Blockchain Technology in the Healthcare Industry. Life expectancy gaps reveal investment opportunities in emerging healthtech markets, especially in Asia and Latin America. Aurobindo Pharma aims to acquire Zentiva for up to $5.5B from Advent.

We’re also co-hosting a sports investing event in NYC on September 3rd! Learn more about it, here.

Join 50+ advertisers who reach our 400,000 executives: Start Here.

Know someone in the healthcare space who should see this? Forward it their way. Here’s the link.

— The Healthcare150 Team

DATA DIVE

Blockchain’s Big Bet on Healthcare

The blockchain in healthcare market is projected to soar from $9.6B in 2024 to $193B by 2034, a 35% CAGR. What’s driving it? Escalating cybersecurity risks, mandatory drug traceability regulations like the DSCSA, and payer pressure to cut the $68B lost annually to duplicate claims. Real-world pilots—from Anthem’s smart-contract claims to Estonia’s national health blockchain—show this isn’t theoretical. Still, migration costs (up to $30M per hospital) and fragmented regulations slow adoption. The takeaway: blockchain is shifting from hype to healthcare infrastructure, but only for players willing to stomach the upfront cost.

Read the Full Report HERE

TREND OF THE WEEK

APAC Healthcare M&A: Smaller Checks, Steady Flow

Healthcare M&A in APAC is cooling in value but not in activity. Deal value is projected at $16B in H1 2025, down from $21B in H2 2024 and far below the $36B peak in H1 2021. Yet, with 528 deals expected, volumes remain resilient. Pharma and life sciences still dominate, but health services is steadily expanding, climbing from 145 deals in 2019 to 182 projected in 2025. The data shows a sector less reliant on blockbuster deals and more on consistent mid-market activity, particularly in digital-enabled healthcare and services. (More)

PRESENTED BY RUBRIK

Cyber threats continue to evolve, but so can your defensive strategy

Leaders like John Riggi, the National Advisor for Cybersecurity and Risk, American Hospitals Association will cover critical topics including:

- Day Zero, immediate steps post cyber-attach

- From Crisis to Continuity with the Minimum Viable Hospital

- Rubrik for Healthcare

See you on September 10.

Save your spot

HEALTHTECH CORNER

AI’s Funding Dominance

AI-focused digital health companies commanded a record 42% of sector funding in 2024, up sharply from 37% in 2023. That’s not just hype—it’s investor conviction in AI’s role in drug discovery, disease detection, and personalized care. The year’s top deal went to Xaira Therapeutics, while Freenome’s $254M Series F and Flo Health’s $200M Series C show both early detection and women’s health are high on investors’ lists. With providers and pharma leaning on AI to streamline everything from clinical workflows to R&D, expect strategic partnerships and M&A to intensify as incumbents scramble to stay competitive. (More)

TOGETHER WITH UNISWAP

Swap, Bridge, and Track Tokens Across 14+ Chains

Uniswap web  app lets you swap thousands of tokens safely, in seconds. Open‑source, audited code and real‑time token warnings help keep you safe.

Get Started

DEAL OF THE WEEK

Aurobindo Aims for the Euro Throne

Aurobindo Pharma is leading the charge to acquire Zentiva from Advent International for up to $5.5 billion, setting the stage for the largest Indian pharma deal ever. The Hyderabad-based drugmaker is chasing scale, not just in volume but geography—Zentiva’s stronghold in Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia) fits Aurobindo’s biosimilars push like a surgical glove. If successful, the deal will nearly double Aurobindo’s European footprint, giving it deeper access to government-driven bulk procurement markets and steadier margins. With a $4.75B bridge loan from MUFG already lined up, it’s not a question of money—but execution. Zentiva’s roots trace back to the 15th century. For Aurobindo, this is less about history and more about grabbing a future pipeline in oncology and generics. (More)

REGIONAL FOCUS

Regional Focus: Life Expectancy by Continent

Europe and Oceania continue to lead globally—both hover around 79–89 years, signaling the effectiveness of their mature healthcare systems and socioeconomic infrastructure. Northern America follows closely at 78 years, benefiting from advanced medical technologies but still trailing Europe slightly. Asia (~75 years) and Latin America & the Caribbean (~76 years) occupy the mid-range, reflecting ongoing healthcare progress tempered by regional disparities. Africa remains a stark outlier at 64 years, underscoring the urgent need for expanded access to essential health services.

Why it matters:
Life expectancy is a concise barometer of a region’s public health, economic development, and systemic resilience. The pronounced gap—particularly Africa’s lag—highlights strategic opportunities for investment in primary healthcare, disease prevention, and infrastructure. For investors and executives, these disparities point to “where the need is greatest,” especially in emerging markets.

Key insight for investors: Regions with life expectancy in the mid‑70s (e.g., Asia, Latin America) represent untapped potential—progress here is achievable with targeted healthtech and infrastructure strategies. Meanwhile, Europe and Oceania exemplify plateaued markets, where innovation must shift toward managing aging populations and chronic disease.

INTERESTING ARTICLES

"Don't be distracted by criticism. Remember, the only taste of success some people have is when they take a bite out of you."

Zig Ziglar