New technologies to characterize and manipulate carbohydrate chemistries and the glycosylation of proteins are spawning viable business models that address what scientists have long known: the sugar coating of proteins and cells is not decorative.

In this issue, we present another installment of our quarterly review of dealmaking-for July-September 2004. Our data comes from Windhover's Strategic Transactions Database, which covers deal activity within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology, medical device, and in vitro diagnostics industries.

Instrumentation manufacturers have become increasingly aware that platforms can be more lucrative than tools. By entering into alliances to create value-added research platforms focused on particular applications, like toxicogenomics or proteomics, they see an opportunity to participate in markets much larger than their traditional research segments.

{In Vivo} summarizes the technologies of several medical companies founded within the last year. eBioinformatics Inc. has opened shop to sell low-cost, easy to use bioinformatics resources and tools via the Internet. Lipoxen Ltd. is entering the drug delivery market. Med-i-nets.com is preparing for the launch of a palm-sized point-of-care electronic prescription pad that allows doctors to check for drug interactions and insurance formulary coverage. Proteome Systems Ltd. was founded by the group that created the National Australizan Proteome facility at Macquarie University. Triad Biotechnology Inc. hopes to accelerate the drug discovery process through the use of its NMR-guided technology.