The number of deals announced in the global healthcare sector (including pharmaceuticals and medical equipment) declined by 6.8% during the week ended May 17, 2020 compared to the previous week, according to GlobalData’s deals database.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The healthcare sector has been relatively resilient compared to other sectors. Prior to this week’s decline, the sector witnessed four consecutive weeks of growth in deal activity.”

Deal activity decreased in key markets such as the US and the UK during the week ended May 17, 2020 compared to the previous week, while China, Canada and Australia witnessed growth.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture financing, partnership and debt offering deals volume decreased by 27.3%, 8.3%, 29.3% and 18.2%, respectively, during the week ended May 17, 2020 compared to the previous week, while the number of licensing agreements increased by 22.2% and equity offerings deal volume remained at the same level.