The medtech deal volume was similar to activity last year at this time, but the total deal value in April was nearly triple that of April 2015, according to an internal analysis.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Medical Device Deals Update column is a survey of recent medtech M&A, alliance, and financing activity. This month’s column covers deals announced March-April 2016.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Venture Funding Deals column provides a comprehensive monthly review of emerging life science companies that have received venture funding, including companies within the In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals sectors. This month’s column covers deals announced March through April 2016.

Device and diagnostics companies both suffered declines in fundraising compared with previous quarters. The biggest medtech acquisition was Stryker’s $1.4 billion buyout of MAKO, while in diagnostics BioMeriux’s $450 million purchase of BioFire topped the list.