Acceleron/Celgene’s drug was effective across all endpoints in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, but Acceleron CEO Habib Dable notes key secondary endpoints could be most meaningful to doctors treating these patients.

Lagging the antibodies in the PCSK9 race, MDCO’s candidate brings certain strengths, not the least being a fundamentally different mechanism. But where the big boys will target larger populations in multiple settings, MDCO is hunkering down in the channel it knows best – the hospital cath lab – counting on changing practice behavior to speed its uptake.

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.

The patent foramen ovale closure market has continued to mature in 2009, with the latest round of developments reported at the 2009 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting, recently held in San Francisco. Over 60 presentations related to PFO closure or atrial septal defect closure were presented at TCT this year, more than double the amount of PFO-related talks presented in 2008.