HPE New York in the news: What reporters took from the conference

At McDermott Will & Schulte’s Healthcare Private Equity (HPE) New York conference on October 15, investors, bankers, operators, and advisors came together to discuss where healthcare dealmaking stands heading into 2027. Here’s a look at news coverage of the event.

WSJ Pro Private Equity

Private Equity’s Healthcare Playbook Faces an AI and Regulatory Reckoning | October 23

WSJ Pro Private Equity reports that AI and policy uncertainty were top of mind at HPE New York, and that healthcare dealmaking is rebounding, led by the highest-quality assets. McDermott Chairman Ira Coleman said strong market pressures, shifting regulation, and new technology are converging: “That combination makes this moment so full of risk and opportunity.” Panelists from WindRose Health Investors, Houlihan Lokey, and Brighton Park Capital spoke about the premium that top assets command, the value of sector specialization, and the need to price AI and regulatory risk. Fred Levenson said firms need to adapt quickly to AI or risk ending up with companies that are hard to exit. In a poll of conference attendees, disagreement over price was named the biggest hurdle to getting deals done.

Octus

Pharmacy, Supply Chain Among Busy Areas for Dealmaking, Say M&A Bankers at McDermott’s HPE NYC Conference | October 16

Octus spoke with bankers from bulge-bracket and independent firms about where deals are getting done. Competitive processes in pharmacy and supply chain are clearing at multiples not seen in some time. They also described how deals are being built, with strategic and private equity partnerships, continuation funds, and early outreach to limited partners now part of process design. On AI, one banker said tools already cut data room review from weeks to hours, with a bigger wave of change still to come.

Levin Associates

Key Takeaways from McDermott Will & Schulte’s Healthcare Private Equity New York Conference | October 21

LevinPro HC’s Kate Humphrey highlighted five themes:

• Holding periods are longer, and operational execution is now the main driver of returns.
• High-quality assets in resilient sectors such as medtech and biopharma still draw strong valuations.
• There’s a shortage of true “A” assets in “A” sectors.
• Attitudes toward AI in healthcare are more measured, particularly on the clinical side.
• Speakers weren’t too worried about regulation, and sentiment was positive heading into 2027.

PitchBook

Q3 2026 Healthcare Services Report: Headwinds Persist With More Hot Air Out of Washington | October 29

PitchBook examined the economic and regulatory pressures weighing on healthcare services dealmaking, alongside opportunities in physician practice management. Patrick Zanayed shared insights on the proposed Stop Corporate Takeovers of Physicians Act of 2026, noting that it is more onerous than the Oregon law it was modeled after and “represents an ideological framework rather than a workable structure in the current healthcare services landscape.” Despite slower deal activity, the report pointed to more moderate valuations and the potential for agentic automation to improve returns as reasons for optimism in physician practice management investments.

What the coverage has in common

The coverage points to a market that’s open but selective. Quality assets in strong sectors are getting done, and everyone else is turning to creative structures such as continuation funds and minority or structured equity. Investors are also leaning toward businesses that are less exposed to policy changes. Reporters noted that AI is already changing how deals get run, even as its role in clinical care is still taking shape.

Keep the conversation going at HPE Miami in March, 2027