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.

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

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.

New company creation slipped significantly in 2009 as venture capitalists conserved capital and supported existing portfolio companies. In biopharmaceuticals, corporate venture got in at the ground floor while device start-ups continued to see stronger support from smaller, regional investors than traditional VCs.