VelocityHealth Securities Research
Advisory Approach
VelocityHealth Securities operates as a boutique healthcare investment bank founded in 2000 with deep expertise in healthcare M&A and capital markets across all healthcare sectors. The firm's thesis centers on providing specialized financial advisory services exclusively within healthcare, where their team possesses operational experience and market insights that generalist banks cannot match. Their sweet spot consists of healthcare growth companies with enterprise values between $5 million and $500 million seeking M&A advisory, capital raises, or strategic guidance. The firm differentiates itself through intellectual capital—combining deal structuring expertise with executives who have actually built, grown, and exited healthcare companies. Their core principle is "Accountability Capitalism," which guides client relationships with emphasis on integrity, speed, value creation, and execution.
Sector Focus
VelocityHealth Securities maintains broad but deep expertise across all healthcare sectors including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals (specialty pharma, generics, drug discovery, drug delivery), medical devices, healthcare services, diagnostics, healthcare information technology (HCIT), and healthcare distribution. The firm's team includes managing directors with specialized knowledge in life sciences (particularly diagnostics and pharma), capital markets, and cross-border healthcare transactions. Dale Yakin, a Managing Director focused on life sciences, brings extensive experience from Novartis in M&A valuation, strategic planning, and Asia-Pacific deal sourcing. Tony Meyers, another Managing Director, provides deep capital markets expertise with 25+ years of Wall Street experience in healthcare institutional equities and investment banking. This diversity of expertise allows VelocityHealth to serve both public and private healthcare companies across the entire sector spectrum.
Deal Track Record
VelocityHealth Securities has completed over 100 healthcare-related transactions since its founding in 2000. Recent representative transactions include:
-
Harrow Health / Novartis (2021): Advised Harrow Health on acquisition of exclusive U.S. commercialization rights to four FDA-approved ophthalmic medicines (IOPIDINE®, MAXITROL®, MOXEZA®) from Novartis, expanding their ophthalmic surgical and acute care market presence. VelocityHealth acted as co-financial advisor alongside B. Riley Securities.
-
Eyevance Pharmaceuticals / Focus Laboratories (2018): Served as financial advisor to Eyevance Pharmaceuticals on acquisition of FRESHKOTE® lubricant eye drop product family, expanding their ophthalmic portfolio.
-
Vertical Pharmaceuticals / Cipher Pharmaceuticals: Advised Vertical Pharmaceuticals on distribution and supply agreements in the pharmaceutical sector.
-
Neuro-Hitech / MCR American Pharmaceuticals (2008): Acted as financial advisor to MCR American Pharmaceuticals on acquisition by Neuro-Hitech.
The firm's transaction experience spans buy-side acquisitions, sell-side divestitures, recapitalizations, and fairness opinions. Their buyer network includes private equity firms, strategic acquirers, and institutional investors across the healthcare spectrum.
Process & Service Offerings
VelocityHealth offers three integrated service lines:
-
Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory: Purchases and sales of businesses, strategic partnerships, divestitures, corporate restructurings, valuations, and fairness opinions on transactions from $5M-$500M TEV.
-
Capital Markets: Raising growth and acquisition capital for private or public companies seeking $5M-$200M in equity, subordinated debt, or senior debt. The team maintains proprietary databases of venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, mezzanine providers, and senior debt sources.
-
Strategic Advisory: Business development guidance, licensing and partnering strategies, and strategic consulting for healthcare company executives and boards.
Clients include companies like Harrow Health, Eyevance Pharmaceuticals, Vertical Pharmaceuticals, and multinational healthcare firms. The firm has worked with European, Indian, Asian, and emerging market clients, reflecting their global reach despite their Nashville headquarters.
Competitive Positioning
VelocityHealth differentiates from larger investment banks and other boutiques through:
-
Operational expertise: Team members are former healthcare company executives—Kevin Esval was SVP/COO at UnitedHealth Group, Dale Yakin held leadership roles at Novartis, and Tony Meyers served as CFO at Legacy BioPharm. They understand operational complexity and valuation drivers from firsthand experience.
-
Healthcare specialization: Unlike generalist M&A banks, VelocityHealth invests deeply in healthcare domain knowledge, regulatory understanding, and market insights.
-
International capability: Despite being based in Nashville, the firm has team members and operations in Jacksonville, Milan, and Taipei, enabling cross-border transactions and Asia-Pacific deal sourcing.
-
Board expertise: Advisory board includes medical professionals (Harvard Medical School faculty), healthcare entrepreneurs, and PE/VC leaders who inform the firm's perspective on emerging trends.
Team & Governance
VelocityHealth is led by founder Kevin J. Esval (Executive Managing Director, CCO, 23+ years banking experience, Series 24/79/7/63 licenses). Senior leadership includes Kenneth R. George (CFO/FINOP, CPA, former NASD/FDIC examiner), and four Managing Directors: Dale Yakin (life sciences focus, former Novartis M&A leader), Tony Meyers (capital markets veteran, 25+ years Wall Street experience), and Chris McTammany (equity/debt specialist, founder of McTammany Partners recruiting). Audra E. Jones serves as Vice President of Business Development focused on life sciences transactions.
The advisory board includes prominent healthcare entrepreneurs and executives: Cooper C. Collins (MagnaSci Ventures founder, former Pernix CEO), Dr. Edison Miyawaki (Harvard Medical School neurologist), Dr. Richard D. Rehm (Spheris founder), and others with healthcare operating and investment experience.
FINRA Registration & Geographic Coverage
VelocityHealth Securities is a licensed FINRA broker/dealer (CRD# 134616) and SIPC member. The firm maintains offices in Nashville (HQ), Jacksonville, Milan, and Taipei, enabling North American, European, and Asia-Pacific transaction support. Primary deal focus remains U.S.-based middle market with international capability for cross-border opportunities.