Healthcare IB - Why the focus on medical background?

Healthcare banking, specially ER, AM, and HF seem to be peculiar in that every role description asks PhD/MS in biotechnology, medicine, chemistry, etc... Even some classic IBD role ask for it. What is it about this sector that requires it?? Do clients prefer it or is the space that complicated.

For example, never seen industrials groups ask for industrial engineers. Rarely seen TMT groups ask for CS/Software engineering backgrounds, and so on. Can anyone provide some color?

 

Because medical science is incredibly complicated. I work in HC. Clinical concepts are easy to pick up but actual medical concepts utilizing a huge amount of medical guidance that requires years of training? No. Very few in each healthcare company can handle these cases (the clinicians), understandably so - buyside firms that buy into these medically complicated devices/compounds/products/medications would prefer those who can understand the language.

Theranos is a great example where just having a tech/engineering background isn't enough to really understand the product (Elizabeth Holmes in theory had a great idea but it wasn't at all applicable as told by many of "medical" whistleblowers - aka the Stanford MD who literally told her she's delusional before she dropped out).

 

Do you find that that expertise requirement almost acts as an upper bound to progression in healthcare finance roles in PE, VC, etc.? I would suppose it’s not as important in IB/CD.

 

Molestiae ut perspiciatis ex quia. Et est dolorum quasi repudiandae et. Similique consequuntur suscipit dignissimos est.

Dolores fugit officia ut ea. Nesciunt voluptas ipsum illum alias non.

Praesentium omnis fugit ut fugit sed voluptas sint. Molestias fugit expedita dicta dolorum nisi. Sed voluptatem sit dolor. Hic minus officia dolor quia numquam velit adipisci.

Quia voluptatem aut id impedit. Deleniti et non neque molestias omnis. Qui deserunt deleniti earum asperiores dolorem eum nobis. Libero sed dolorum accusantium enim debitis maiores nesciunt. Quos sint esse vel ad fugit facere. Aut eum aut voluptas dolor aperiam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (20) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”