Record deal volumes. Private equity dominance. Resilient valuations.
Life sciences consulting M&A entered 2026 with sustained momentum, driven by private equity, ongoing healthcare transformation, and growing demand for tech-enabled, regulatory, and CRO capabilities.
Based on analysis of transactions since 2018, Equiteq’s Life Sciences Consulting M&A Report provides a data-driven view of where capital is flowing, which capabilities are in demand, and how valuations are evolving across the sector.
Key Findings
- 135 M&A deals completed in 2025, the highest annual total on record
- ~75% of transactions driven by Private Equity or PE-backed platforms
- ~74% of acquired firms had fewer than 100 employees, highlighting intense competition for high-quality boutique consultancies
- Median private market valuation of 14.5x EV/EBITDA, exceeding public market benchmarks
- Global Life Sciences Consulting market growing at ~9% CAGR through 2030
- Deal activity concentrated in North America and Western Europe, led by the US and UK
Market Outlook
The life sciences consulting market continues to benefit from strong structural tailwinds, including increasing regulatory complexity, digital and AI adoption, pricing and market access pressures, and the growth of advanced therapeutics.
M&A activity remains robust as private equity firms pursue buy-and-build strategies across strategy consulting, regulatory affairs, CROs, tech-enabled services, market access, and commercialization advisory. Scarcity of scaled, high-quality mid-sized consultancies is intensifying competition and supporting elevated valuation multiples.
What’s Inside the Report
- Life sciences consulting M&A trends from 2018–2025
- Breakdown of Private Equity vs strategic buyer activity
- Valuation benchmarks across consulting, CROs, tech-enabled services, and healthcare technology
- Detailed analysis of notable 2025 transactions and platform deals
- Outlook for consolidation, valuations, and deal activity in 2026 and beyond
Download the Life Sciences Consulting M&A Report 2026 and gain a clear view of where the market is heading and how value is being created.