A strong second half of 2013 could mean a pace of start-up formation not seen since before 2007-2008. Plus news on recent financings by Prosensa, MannKind, OncoEthix and Cardio3 Biosciences.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, EBI’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.

Building on the 10-pharma clinical development problem-solving initiative launched in September, J&J, Merck and Lilly are spearheading a databank that will share information on clinical trial sites and investigators, with a primary goal of avoiding redundancy in paperwork and training.

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, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, 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.