Highlights from the Q4 2007 review of medical device and in vitro diagnostics/research dealmaking: there was a boost in medical device acquisitions--with patient monitoring in particular, which accounted for about half the total of this period--capping off an impressive year in medtech M&A activity. Of note in the in vitro diagnostics/research space was glucose monitoring, which brought in 60% of the total GM segment's $160 million in financing for the entire year.

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

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group: Do-It-Yourself Dermatology, features profiles of Therative and Xthetix. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: iCardiac Technologies, Jenken Biosciences, Neovasc Medical, and Syntaxin.

Few issues are more nettlesome in drug development than the potential for a new drug to unleash rare but potentially lethal heart-rhythm irregularities. The industry has a glaring need for improved cardiac safety testing. iCardiac Technologies hopes to turn that need into a service business with its proprietary algorithms and advanced electrocardiogram biomarkers.