Recent executive-level company changes and promotions in the medical device and diagnostics industries.

Recent executive-level company changes and promotions in the biopharma, medical device and diagnostics industries.

In the fourth quarter, medical device companies raised $1.1 billion, a third of which was represented by follow-on public offerings. Acquisitions were strong overall, holding steady with 15 transactions - the same as Q3 - but only slightly less in money paid, $6 billion. In vitro diagnostic/research companies, like medical device, also ended 2010 on a high note, with funding totaling $511 million in Q4. The majority of the money spent on IVD/research acquisitions came from Thermo Fisher Scientific's buy of Dionex for $2.1 billion.

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