Know your strengths, surround yourself with experts and ensure your solution “does what it says on the tin.” These are among the guiding principles of Christophe Bancel, co-founder of France’s biopolymer innovator TISSIUM, a health care start-up on the cusp of commercialization.

Device companies raised 50% more in Q1 2016 than the previous quarter, reaching $1.8 billion and led by debt offerings; diagnostic imaging acquisitions, such as Toshiba Medical Systems, were abundant. Diagnostics financings double in Q1, mostly from venture funding, including strong showing from liquid biopsy companies.

Start-ups raised $1.8 billion in Q1 2016. Biopharma companies penned 33 alliances; 14 acquisitions were signed (11 in the biopharma industry).

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Venture Funding Deals column provides a monthly review of emerging In Vitro Diagnostic, Medical Device, and Pharmaceutical companies that have received venture funding. This month’s column covers deals announced February through March 2016.