Derived from Strategic Transactions, Elsevier Business Intelligence’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, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced September through October 2013.

While the drug industry continued to shun acquisitions in favor of alliances, service and device companies see mergers as the only way to go. Can diagnostics, still stubbornly unconsolidated, be far behind?