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.

A preview of the emerging health companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Advancing the Technological Frontier in AAA Repair," features profiles of Altura Medical, Aptus Endosystems, Endoluminal Sciences and SOVAmed. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: ACT Biotech, Ausio Pharmaceuticals, CureFAKtor Pharmaceuticals, Harbor MedTech and Insituvue.

Ever since the disturbing news broke about the health risks of HRT, drug and vitamin manufacturers have been angling to develop their own products as alternatives. Ausio Pharmaceuticals' candidate is S-equol, a synthetic form of a metabolite found in soy beans that is produced when an isoflavone known as daidzein is broken down by a certain kind of bacteria. Individuals who possess the bacteria and who frequently consume soy products have been shown to have a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, menopausal symptoms and certain cancers. Ausio is betting that S-equol can be developed as a pharmaceutical product capable of passing muster with the FDA and other regulatory agencies.

Advances in imaging technologies mean that tiny lung nodules can now be detected, creating a need for technologies for diagnosing and treating lung cancer at early stages. Median Technologies, in computer-assisted detection, PneumRx, with a better biopsy tool, and Perceptronix Medical and Menssana Research, with novel diagnostics, hope to help here.