Global Healthcare Opportunities (GHO), based in London, and CBC Group, located in Singapore, announced on Wednesday that they will combine to form what they described as the largest healthcare-focused investment manager in the world, with assets of over $21 billion.
The deal brings together two specialist healthcare investors as financial firms globally seek greater scale and a wider reach in private markets.
It also comes as ageing populations, rising medical costs, and faster use of technology are drawing more capital into drug development, medical devices, diagnostics, healthcare infrastructure, and health technology.
The combined company would employ over 200 operating and investment specialists in 13 offices located throughout North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
They stated that almost 90% of the world’s investment in healthcare research and development goes to such areas.
The Financial Times first reported on the planned merger on Wednesday.
According to their statement, the transaction is anticipated to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Until the merger is finalized, GHO and CBC will function independently.
According to the release, GHO co-founder and managing partner Mike Mortimer and CBC founder and CEO Fu Wei will serve as co-chief executives of the merged company.
The board will be co-chaired by Fu and Lady Mireille Gillings, Vice Chair and co-founder of GHO.
While CBC stated that its Asian healthcare companies will benefit from broader global market insight and support, GHO stated that the acquisition would give its North American and European portfolio companies improved access to the Asia-Pacific.
AI applications in the healthcare and life sciences, in particular, will continue to be a focus going ahead because AI is a rapidly developing force in these sectors, according to Gillings.
The statement states that CBC has $10.8 billion in assets under management and GHO has $10.5 billion.
They emphasized that existing funds and portfolio firms will continue to be managed by their present investment teams, with no modifications to ownership, governance, or mandates.
