Derived from Strategic Transactions, Elsevier Business Intelligence’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing.

Swiss pharma Helsinn and emerging Spanish biotech Advancell have signed a partnering agreement giving Helsinn worldwide development and commercialization rights to Advancell's ATH008, a topical product to treat skin injuries caused by chemotherapy.

Despite continuing pharmacological and physiological advances, ongoing public health campaigns, and well established guidelines defining challenging treatment targets, cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills more people globally than any other disease. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical industry seems divided over whether CVD still holds the prospect of realising a reasonable return on investment. On the one hand, several companies are pulling out of CVD R&D, despite having a rich cardiovascular heritage. For example, Pfizer and Wyeth, currently mid-merger, individually announced a shift in focus away from cardiology towards areas such as oncology and neurology.

Founded in 2001 by researchers from the University of Barcelona and the experimental hepatology unit of the La Fe University Hospital in Valencia, Advancell is moving on from being in the start up phase and heading towards growth. The company is certainly sending a strong message to investors – to invest in Spanish biotech to take it to the next level.