Biopharma, medical device and in vitro diagnostics start-ups brought in a total of $548 million in Q4 2010, a 30% drop from the previous quarter and a 24% decrease from Q4 2009. Six start-up acquisitions were completed - five in the biopharmaceutical industry and one diagnostic transaction. In the fourth quarter there were 27 start-up biopharma alliances covering a wide range of therapeutic categories, and fourteen of them involved large molecules.

The musculoskeletal sector continues to be bogged down by the economic downturn, and particularly hard hit is the industry’s largest segment: the $13 billion total joint market. Companies are now scouting out the next technology wave in orthopedics, and the record attendance at the recent International Cartilage Repair Society meeting may be one indication of where the action will be for some time to come.

A roundup of recent medtech strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions and financings.

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