Biopharma, medical device and in vitro diagnostics start-ups brought in a total of $548 million in Q4 2010, a 30% drop from the previous quarter and a 24% decrease from Q4 2009. Six start-up acquisitions were completed - five in the biopharmaceutical industry and one diagnostic transaction. In the fourth quarter there were 27 start-up biopharma alliances covering a wide range of therapeutic categories, and fourteen of them involved large molecules.

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

Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, Samuel Waksal's new venture, is moving quickly to strengthen its hepatitis C franchise.

Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, led by former ImClone CEO Dr Samuel Waksal, has acquired Three Rivers Pharmaceuticals, a privately held specialty pharma, for $100 million.