For the first time in five years, large cap, mid cap and financial buyers are all showing a willingness to acquire medical device companies thanks to improving credit markets and strong cash reserves.

Once considered the high flying segment of the musculoskeletal industry, the spine industry has finally hit a wall as procedure volumes stall, implant prices tumble, and payors push back on authorizing expensive operations for back pain such as spinal fusion. As economic woes heighten, hand in hand with persistent unemployment just as health care and regulatory reforms kick in, many left the North American Spine Society meeting in early October wondering where the bright spots are in this industry.

Medical device financings during the third quarter of 2010 brought in $997 million, an increase of 82% from the second quarter's $548 million. While Q3 M&A activity was down slightly from last quarter - only 15 mergers were completed, compared with 18 in Q2 - more money was involved: an impressive $6.7 billion. The venture rounds for PacBio and Complete Genomics boosted late-stage VC money to $171 million in the third quarter, two-thirds of the entire amount for the in vitro diagnostics/research industry. Despite only five acquisitions closing during the third quarter, the M&A dollar volume for the IVD/research industry was just north of $2 billion.

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