A survey of the fundraising activities of 183 private cardiovascular medtech, biopharma, and diagnostics companies from 2010 through April 2015 revealed that by 2014, following two years of waning venture investments, the group had raised less than half the capital secured in 2010. And although the average raised per round was roughly the same, the volume of deals was significantly higher in 2010.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Elsevier Business Intelligence’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Recent Financings Of Private Companies column provides a comprehensive monthly review of emerging life science companies that have received venture funding, including companies within the In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals sectors.

During the second quarter of 2011, 57 medical device companies brought in a total of $1.7 billion in financings. The M&A activity reached $28.8 billion, unusually high due to Johnson & Johnson's $21.7 billion takeover of orthopedic device maker Synthes. VC funding represented $76 million or 43% of the second quarter's in vitro diagnostics/research financing aggregate of $177 million. A hefty $4.1 billion was spent on 11 in vitro diagnostic/research M&A transactions, the largest being Thermo Fisher's $3.5 billion buy of Swedish genetics testing firm Phadia AB.

Baxter once again plans to add to its IV solutions business – this time through the acquisition Baxa Corporation for $380 million in cash. Baxa is a privately held company that has developed pharmacy devices and software that improves the safety of oral and IV dose preparation and delivery.