New Enterprise Associates registered one of its biggest returns ever when Merz agreed to pay up to $600 million for aesthetics company Ulthera. CEO Matthew Likens and lead investor Justin Klein, MD, discuss specifics about the blockbuster deal.

Device funding increased 123% to $1.6 billion in Q2, and M&A activity was overshadowed by Medtronic’s massive $47 billion acquisition of Covidien. Diagnostics fundraising dropped slightly to $522 million, and there were multiple takeovers of life sciences companies.

Mice bathed in a dilute bleach solution exhibited younger-looking skin in a recently published study, but The Clorox Company advises consumers to use its products only as directed. More news in brief.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment – In Vitro Diagnostics, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced November through December 2013