With Big Pharma content to sit on the sidelines and wait as biotech company valuations continue their fall, the M&A activity that does take place is likely to place a premium on hedging risk. And, say venture investors, that means structured acquisitions of biotech firms are likely to increase as pharmaceutical acquirers gain more leverage over cash-strapped firms in deal negotiations.

Start-Up analyzes fundraising and alliances among emerging companies in the biopharmaceutical, medical device and in vitro diagnostics segments from July through September 2008. Data comes from FDC-Windhover's Strategic Transactions Database.

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 Windhover's Strategic Transactions Database, providing comprehensive transaction coverage from 1991 to the present.

As VCs continue to woo later-stage assets, a new breed of companies has stepped in upstream to help UK universities commercialize their IP. The models vary, and it's unclear how successful they'll be either for investors, or for universities. But the attention and money they're attracting to the area are welcome.