Biscayne and Japanese CRO SNBL create spin-outs to advance programs; liver disease specialist Ascletis gains funds as it shifts away from HCV; Neon gets $100m to put into its cancer vaccines; and other highlights of recent VC funding.

Venture capital investment fell $2.1bn to $7.79bn in 2016, but it was still the second-best year of VC funding for biopharma firms since 2006. Also, Venrock and Correlation closed new health care and technology funds and 10 companies raised $126.8m.

Germany’s Evotec hopes to evolve into an integrated multi-service biopharma company through its three-pronged business strategy comprising a high-growth drug-discovery business, a series of pipeline options that pose no financial obligation for the biotech, and a growing list of scientific collaborations that offer potential long-term value.

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 April through May 2014.