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.

Earn-outs are more frequent in biotech M&A deals these days, but private investors also are becoming more savvy in terms of tracking earn-outs and which ones are more likely than others to pay off.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. saw its stock price tick up slightly after announcing its $180 million purchase of Russian over-the-counter cold remedy company Natur Produkt.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals has announced two acquisitions in as many days, but is being a little coy as to how much it has spent.