Amicus announced its ambitions in gene therapy last year, recently purchased Celenex and 10 pipeline candidates, and now partners with Penn on gene therapies. Celltrion is collaborating with Emory in atherosclerosis therapies.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’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. This month’s column covers deals announced June-August 2014.

Apica Cardiovascular is leading the field of transapical access and closure for structural heart disease. Its first product is a titanium coil that stabilizes the surgical access site in the apex of the heart to prevent bleeding during and after therapeutic interventions and provides for reaccess in the future. Also in the works are a large closure device for transfemoral access closure and a connector that aids in the delivery and implantation of newer, smaller, left ventricular assist devices through the Apica coil.

As researchers work to more fully understand the risks and durability of transcatheter aortic heart valve implantation (TAVI) procedures, device innovators are already attempting to engineer solutions to some of the more obvious areas of unmet need.