Medical device companies raised $1.1 billion, a 40% increase over Q4 2011’s $800 million. Two billion-dollar deals in the resuscitation market boosted device acquisition activity to $4.2 billion. Twenty diagnostics financings brought in a collective $302 million, soaring above the previous quarter’s $269 million. There were seven diagnostics M&A deals completed, totaling $589 million – down yet again.

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

START-UP's monthly comprehensive review of emerging life science companies that have received venture funding during the month, including companies within the in vitro diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, research/analytical equipment & supplies, and medical device sectors.

In the midst of a busy January – in which Ventana has signed four publicly disclosed deals to develop companion diagnostics with pharma partners – Ventana President Mara Aspinall talked with “The Pink Sheet” DAILY about pharma’s evolving attitude on personalized medicine, sharing value for joint projects and how Ventana is positioning itself to be the partner of choice for pharma.