Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Tech Transfers column provides a monthly update on technology transfer deals, reporting licensing agreements between companies and universities or other research institutions within the In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals sectors. This month’s column covers deals announced November through December 2013.

For years, traditional VCs passed on ArmaGen’s technology that pulls drugs across the blood-brain barrier to reach previously undruggable targets. But in 2012, a syndicate of corporate investors obliged, suggesting they don’t mind losing their money if they can learn more about a difficult problem.

Biopharma start-ups raised $338.1 million – 51% less than in Q4 2011. Device companies brought in $123.7 million and diagnostics firms raised $99.3 million; Series C rounds generated more money in both the device and diagnostic sectors than any other financing type. Cancer was the most prevalent therapeutic area for biopharma alliances. During Q1, M&As across biopharma and diagnostic industries were valued at a total of $471 million.

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 database, providing comprehensive transaction coverage from 1991 to the present.