Ongoing debate emanates from industry players around the most efficient design of the manufacturing process for cell and gene therapies. The arguments surrounding outsourcing, centralizing, and standardizing processes will no doubt continue through into the near future.

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.

At $1.2 billion, Q4 device financing was the second-lowest quarter of 2015; M&A dollar volume was also low, but included multiple deals across various cardiovascular markets. Diagnostics financing was also down in Q4, totaling $403 million; acquisitions were worth $441 million.

Medtech M&A activity has been on the rise for several years along with a surge in the number of higher-valued mega-deals, those worth at least $1 billion. Yet a survey of all deals with known values indicates that median deal value has actually declined.