Markets in Asia were higher today on impressive November trade figures from China – exports rose 12.3% while imports were up 17.7%, both well ahead of forecasts – and in anticipation of good non-farm payroll figures from the US tonight. The Shanghai Composite was last seen up 0.27% while the Hang Seng bounced 0.95%. Japan was also in focus. A strong US dollar and solid Q3 CDP figures saw the Nikkei gain 1.13%. Healthcare stocks in Japan were given a boost today on the back of Japanese government approval for a ¥2 trillion (US$17.8 billion) economic package to improve elderly care and to subsidise education costs. The overnight gain in commodity prices helped the ASX add 0.28%. The pace next week will be set by central bank meetings with those from the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank under the microscope for what they say about interest rises next year.
 
The outlook for the global healthcare industry in the year ahead is stable, Moody's Investors Service says in its 2018 outlook for the sector. In most countries, healthcare will represent a rising proportion of GDP, presenting plenty of growth opportunities for healthcare companies, but squeezing government budgets. “Global demand for healthcare products and services will continue to rise in 2018 due to aging populations in mature markets and improving access to healthcare in emerging ones,” said Michael Levesque, a Moody's senior vice president. “But increasing spending on healthcare will also create budgetary pressures, which in turn will drive cost-containment efforts and other political risks.”
 
AK Medical Holdings, which is the largest artificial orthopaedic joint manufacturer in China, has opened books for its HK$500 million (US$64 million) IPO. The company plans to sell 250 million shares at an indicative price range of HK$1.66-HK$2.00 each. Sole sponsor is Goldman Sachs. The IPO will price next Tuesday.
 
Shares in Thonburi Healthcare Group, Thailand’s third largest hospital operator, dipped modestly in their debut on the SET yesterday. The group raised Bt3.2 billion (US$98.2 million) selling 85 million shares at Bt38.00 per share – 10.01% of the company. They closed the day down 1.3% at Bt37.50. Lead underwriter for the deal was Thanachart Securities. Today they slipped again to Bt35.00.
 
Shares in Rhythm Biosciences, which is developing a screening test intended for the accurate and early detection of colorectal cancer, jumped 62.5% on their ASX debut yesterday. The company raised A$9 million (US$6.9 million) selling 45 million shares at A$0.20 per share, and they closed the day at A$0.33. Taylor Collison managed the deal. Shares pulled back slightly today to A$0.32.
 
Malaysian conglomerate Mexter Technology has fixed the price of the third tranche of its M$14.3 million (US$3.2 million) capital raising at M$0.48 per share. This is a 8.13% discount to the five-day VWAP. M&A Securities is handling the deal.
 
The bond market beckons for another healthcare company in Singapore. Q&M Dental Group, which operates the largest network of private dental outlets in Singapore, has launched its own S$500 million (US$371 million) multi currency debt programme. In doing so it joins Parkway Life REIT, Perennial Real Estate, RHT Health Trust, all of which have printed bonds off their own Singapore dollar multi currency programmes this year. DBS, OCBC and UOB have been appointed by the issuer as joint arrangers and dealers of the programme.
 
Beijing-based Medlinker, a social network for doctors, has raised Rmb400 million (US$60.5 million) Series C funding led by China Electronics Corporation Data (CEC Data), together with China Renaissance, Sequoia Capital China and Tencent Holdings.
 
Taipei-based startup Health2Sync has raised US$6 million Series B funding led by Japanese insurance group Sompo Holdings. It was joined by existing investors including Alibaba Group and WI Harper Group.
 
Swedish private equity firm EQT has cancelled plans to sell its stake in I-MED Radiology Network, Australia’s largest radiology company. It plans to review its options after none of the bids came up to scratch. Only two names had been left in the running after Permira and Golden Meditech dropped out; Jin Merchants Alliance together with Shenzhen-listed Tonghua Golden-Horse Pharmaceutical Industry, and China Merchants Group. The deal was being handled by Morgan Stanley and Rothschild.
 
Japanese pump and pumping equipment manufacturer Nikkiso has acquired an additional stake in Weigao Blood Purification, a subsidiary of Chinese medical products conglomerate Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer. It has increased its stake to 5% for Rmb100 million and now controls the board.
 
Johnson & Johnson Innovation has announced a collaboration with the Shanghai municipal government, Pudong New Area government, and Shanghai Pharma Engine Company to launch a new Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS in Shanghai. The 4,400 square meter facility will be located in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park and will open in the second quarter of 2019.
 
Regenerative med-tech group Avita Medical has appointed Dale Sander as its new chief financial officer. He will be responsible for overseeing the global finance and investor relations functions, and aligning them with the company’s commercialisation strategy. Current CFO, Tim Rooney, has been appointed chief administrative officer, responsible for global operations and supply chain management, human resources, and information technology. Both executives will be based in Valencia, CA. In Australia, community-based healthcare operator Zenitas Healthcare has appointed Jonathan Seah as a non-executive director. Seah is currently chief executive of China Medical & HealthCare Group which recently increased its stake in Zenitas to 11.01%.