During the first quarter, medical device company mergers and acquisition totalled $10.2bn, while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players completed M&A activity that totaled $5bn.

Efforts to improve trial diversity predate COVID-19, but the pandemic’s disproportionate effects on minority communities have brought the issue to the forefront.

Newly public Aligos will team with Merck & Co. on oligonucleotide therapies for NASH. Maze Therapeutics launches ophthalmology and CV-focused spinouts with Alloy and BridgeBio.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life-sciences deals, this new bimonthly Pacts In Medtech column pulls up notable technology alliances, R&D partnerships and commercial collaborations. This month we highlight deals announced in November and December 2016.