Medtech companies raised $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter, the second-strongest of the year; Q4 device M&A deals totaled $9 billion in value, led by Allergan's $2.9 billion buy of Acelity's LifeCell division. Diagnostics financings finished out the year at $721 million, an increase over the previous quarter and 2016's second-highest quarter, but diagnostics M&A activity was the lowest of the year at $87 million, with only two completed acquisitions.

At $1.2 billion, Q4 device financing was the second-lowest quarter of 2015; M&A dollar volume was also low, but included multiple deals across various cardiovascular markets. Diagnostics financing was also down in Q4, totaling $403 million; acquisitions were worth $441 million.

Medtech M&A activity has been on the rise for several years along with a surge in the number of higher-valued mega-deals, those worth at least $1 billion. Yet a survey of all deals with known values indicates that median deal value has actually declined.

The wider medtech industry saw only 2% growth in 2015, and medtechs in established markets face continued low growth for the next three to five years. The medtech M&A bonanza continued into 2015 and there is no end in sight in 2016 as manufacturers seek to augment and fine-tune portfolios to meet the new demands of payers and providers; longer term, there are signs of a change in the top global medtech rankings.