New York biotech is partnering with researchers at Columbia, Kansas State and Southern Research to address the pandemic.

The plum in the middle of Philips' intense period of M&A this summer was the €1.9 billion purchase of Spectranetics, which, combined with Philips Volcano, should create a $1 billion+ devices business within the image-guided therapy group by 2020. IGT senior vice president and general manager Bert van Meurs explains the rationale behind the deal, and what's next for Philips.

Medtech companies raised $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter, the second-strongest of the year; Q4 device M&A deals totaled $9 billion in value, led by Allergan's $2.9 billion buy of Acelity's LifeCell division. Diagnostics financings finished out the year at $721 million, an increase over the previous quarter and 2016's second-highest quarter, but diagnostics M&A activity was the lowest of the year at $87 million, with only two completed acquisitions.

Device companies raised 50% more in Q1 2016 than the previous quarter, reaching $1.8 billion and led by debt offerings; diagnostic imaging acquisitions, such as Toshiba Medical Systems, were abundant. Diagnostics financings double in Q1, mostly from venture funding, including strong showing from liquid biopsy companies.