In line with its midterm growth strategy, the medical arm of Japanese chemicals group Sekisui Chemical has acquired Veredus Laboratories, a Singapore-based specialist in rapid and affordable multiplex molecular diagnostic systems. The acquisition will further strengthen Sekisui's presence in China, a key territory for the group and one of the main markets for Veredus' products.

NxStage’s System One has received an expanded indication to treat patients overnight at home, which the company says improves quality of life.

The company says its new needle technology means patients will only need to be pricked once during a dialysis procedure instead of twice which will reduce their discomfort while preserving vascular access.

Start-up fundraising for Q3 2013 totaled $559.4 million, down from last quarter’s big rally ($907.2 million) but still up from the sluggish first quarter ($398.7 million). More than half of that money went to biopharma companies, a group which also received investments through alliances with equity provisions.