Leerink Partners: The Story of One of Boston’s Prominent Investment Banks
Leerink Partners stands as a prominent name among financial institutions in Boston, particularly in the healthcare sector. Established in 1995 as Leerink Swann by Jeffrey A. Leerink, the independent investment bank has undergone significant transformations over its nearly three-decade journey. Today, it is renowned for offering a diverse range of financial services to healthcare companies, encompassing M&A advisory, equity and debt capital markets, proprietary research, and comprehensive sales and trading capabilities.
The company’s evolution began with Leerink’s vision of creating a bank capable of assisting healthcare organizations in navigating financial challenges, leading to Leerink Swann’s inclusion in the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies by 1999. In 2009, the firm experienced a major expansion with the addition of 25 senior healthcare bankers.
Five years later, Leerink Swann rebranded as Leerink Partners, marking a new era for the company. This shift was followed by strategic hires of senior bankers, signaling the firm’s expansion into specialty pharmaceuticals and services.
Continuing its growth trajectory, Leerink Partners ventured into convertible capital markets in 2016, and in 2019, it entered the alternative equities and ATM businesses. The acquisition by SVB Financial Group in the same year prompted a temporary rebranding as SVB Leerink.
In 2021, Leerink Partners strengthened its focus on the healthcare industry with key hires, including Barry Blake as Global Co-Head of Investment Banking. This move, coupled with an increased presence in financial sponsor and leveraged finance sectors, positioned the company as a vital player in healthcare services and technology.
The rebranding to SVB Securities in 2019 was short-lived, as Jeff Leerink and his management team, along with funds managed by The Baupost Group, successfully bought out SVB Securities, reverting the company to its original name, Leerink Partners.
Today, Leerink Partners remains committed to its mission, providing valuable advice to healthcare clients in areas like leveraged and private capital markets. With a history of collaborating with diverse healthcare sectors, including biopharma, digital health, healthcare services, medical technology, and diagnostics, Leerink Partners is well-positioned to continue its growth as an independent investment bank for years to come.
