In the second quarter of 2012, start-up companies raised a total of $556 million across all industries. Most of that financing – $439.8 million – went to the biopharma sector. Cancer was the most prevalent therapeutic area for alliances. There were just four start-up acquisitions – two each in the biopharma and medical device industries.

The Dealmaking column is a survey of recent transactions, including strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions, and financings, in the life sciences industries. Deals are listed by the following industry sectors: in vitro diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and research/analytical instrumentation and reagents. All transactions are excerpted from Elsevier's Strategic Transactions database, providing comprehensive transaction coverage from 1991 to the present.

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