Global professional services firm Huron announced that Steven A. Mermelstein has joined Huron Transaction Advisory LLC as managing director to lead merger and acquisition (M&A) and equity financing transactions for companies in the life sciences sector. Mermelstein will work closely with David E. Wood, PhD, who has joined Huron Transaction Advisory LLC as a director.

“The life sciences sector is undergoing tremendous change in terms of technology, big data, cost of treatment and overall patient care. This is forcing organizations to think differently when it comes to innovation, and has led to meaningful investment and strategic activity in the sector,” said Geoffrey Frankel, managing director and business leader of Huron Transaction Advisory LLC. “Steve and Dave bring significant deal experience working with institutional-backed and middle-market companies in the life sciences sector, which complements Huron’s established and highly-regarded life sciences consulting practice.”

Mermelstein joins Huron Transaction Advisory LLC from Covington Associates LLC, where he worked with life sciences companies and institutional investors, primarily on sell-side M&A transactions. Prior to that he held senior positions at Ferghana Partners, Asanté Partners, Wasserstein Perella & Co. and JPMorgan Chase.

Wood was most recently with Covington Associates, where he helped grow the firm’s presence in life sciences. Wood also held positions with Ferghana Partners, America’s Growth Capital, Rodman & Renshaw and Stephens Inc., following his post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital in Boston.

Huron is a global professional services firm committed to achieving sustainable results in partnership with its clients. The company brings depth of expertise in strategy, technology, operations, advisory services and analytics to drive lasting and measurable results in the healthcare, higher education, life sciences and commercial sectors.