Biopharma financing decreased by 16% in Q2 to $4.8 billion, while the total value of acquisitions nearly doubled to $22 billion, including AbbVie's $9.8 billion takeover of Stemcentrx. Alliances garnered an aggregate potential deal value of $23.1 billion, led by Allergan's CNS agreement with Heptares.

Allergan rebounded from the derailed Pfizer acquisition by signing a $3 billion partnership with Heptares to develop small-molecule muscarinic receptor agonists in CNS diseases; there was a huge consolidation in cardiovascular devices through Abbott's $25 billion purchase of St. Jude Medical. Biopharma funding totaled $1.1 billion, while device fundraising reached $248 million.

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, Pharmaceuticals, and Research/Analytical Supplies – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in April 2016.