Aldea Pharmaceuticals will begin clinical trials in acute alcohol intoxication and Fanconi anemia for AD-6626, the company's lead drug candidate for aldehyde metabolism disorders, with $24m in Series B venture capital from new Russian and Chinese investors and existing US-based VC backers.

Cytomedix is to downsize its R&D activities in a renewed focus on profitability, in what is its second reorganization in as many months.

Cytomedix stock lost 25% of its value on 20 February when the Gaithersburg, Maryland-based company specializing in autologous regenerative therapies announced three different financing vehicles designed to generate up to $27.5 million for its "2013 operational business plan."

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, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, 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.