Trius Therapeutics Inc. intends to create drugs that are capable of combating resistant bacteria and are meaningfully differentiated from currently marketed products. It says its lead candidate will be "a true second-generation" version of linezolid (Zyvox), as yet the sole marketed compound in the class of drugs known as oxazolidinones. Linezolid's proven ability to combat Gram-positive bacteria such as MRSA and Streptococcus has made it a blockbuster on track to generate $1 billion in revenues this year. If Trius can develop an antibiotic that is safer and more effective than Zyvox, and that also possesses additional attributes that improve on the original drug, that new compound could commandeer significant market share.

Radiation oncology is a very attractive market indeed. It's a $3 billion-plus capital equipment market predicted to experience a compound annual growth rate of 10 to 15% in the next several years, with the image-guided segment expected to grow at a 35% rate. Approximately 30% of the market is up for grabs over the next three years, as institutions replace old and obsolete equipment. Can small company TomoTherapy sustain the lead it has gained with a new image-guided system that increases the precision of cancer targeting and spares normal tissues, once entrenched multi-billion dollar radiation oncology companies begin to offer aggressive competition?

A roundup of recent medtech strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions and financings.

Our monthly update on technology transfer deals--licensing agreements between companies and universities or other research institutions--in the fields of life sciences, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and research/analytical instrumentation and reagents.