Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’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. This month’s column covers deals announced in January 2017

Under Momenta/CSL autoimmune partnership, Momenta can opt in to co-development or commercialization on recombinant Fc receptor modulator or just earn a revenue stream from CSL’s efforts with the preclinical candidate. Pieris and Servier sign broad-based immuno-oncology collaboration, while Arena hands off the disappointing Belviq to Eisai.

Stroke remains a devastating disease that isn't adequately addressed, but the pharmaceutical industry remains wary of the field, having been stung in the past by extremely expensive clinical disappointments. Nevertheless, the opportunity is too enticing for the industry to ignore completely. Two pharma-sponsored major clinical trials are underway for treatment of acute ischemic stroke, foro example. The emerging companies with stroke therapies profiled here, however, are cautiously pushing forward on several fronts, of which the stroke market may or not be the first and foremost application of core technology.

Current public genomic information has dramatically simplified the identification of novel proteins. An immediate challenge exists, however, to predict the precise function of these proteins. APT Therapeutics Inc. has developed technologies to address this hurdle, with an initial goal of using these tools to prioritize candidates for preclinical validation. In addition, it has acquired significant expertise in optimization of protein expression and preclinical production.