Device fundraising during the fourth quarter totaled $2.6 billion, making it the strongest quarter of the year. Q4 M&A activity reached $3.9 billion, higher than Q3's $3.4 billion, but still one of the lowest quarters of the year. Both fourth quarter diagnostics financings and M&As hit an all-year low of $622 million, and $2.8 million, respectively.

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, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced in December 2017.

2017 proved to be a busy year for medtech M&A activity, with the number of deals rising from 174 in 2016, to 206 in 2017. The year also brought a number of notable acquisitions, including Becton Dickinson's blockbuster $24bn purchase of CR Bard and Dutch health-care giant Philips undertaking an ambitious acquisition spree. Medtech Insight takes a look at the highlights of 2017 and what's in store for 2018.

The orthopedic giant is acquiring Entellus Medical for $24.00 per share, adding to its ear, nose and throat device portfolio with Entellus platforms including XprESS multi-sinus dilation system and the Latera absorbable nasal implant.