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 look back at the biggest devices stories of the decade, in capsule form.

Over the last three years, deal values in medical device M&A have hit all time highs, with more big deals done than ever before. Still, even with deal values soaring, device M&A remains a small-stakes game. IN VIVO looks at dealmaking in medtech by therapeutic and industry segments.

The European orthopedic implants and trauma products market consists of hip, knee, shoulder, and small joint reconstruction and replacements; fracture fixation and bone growth stimulation; bone graft substitutes and growth factors; and bone cements segments. "European Markets for Orthopedic Implants and Trauma Products", a report published in October 2004 by Windhover/Medtech Insight, surveys and forecasts these markets in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Within these countries there is considerable potential for new and innovative technologies such as bone graft substitutes and the use of resorbable implants in trauma. However, medical-based evidence must show added value and improvement in a patient's quality of life before such innovations will be broadly accepted. Meeting health care regulatory authorities' compliance criteria while not burdening health care payers with dramatic increases in reimbursement budgets is viewed as a major driving factor within Europe.