Device fundraising during the fourth quarter totaled $2.6 billion, making it the strongest quarter of the year. Q4 M&A activity reached $3.9 billion, higher than Q3's $3.4 billion, but still one of the lowest quarters of the year. Both fourth quarter diagnostics financings and M&As hit an all-year low of $622 million, and $2.8 million, respectively.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’s premium source for tracking life-sciences deals, the bimonthly Pacts In Medtech highlights notable technology alliances, R&D partnerships and commercial collaborations. In this edition, we look at industry pacts that were sealed in the final two months of 2017.

According to a recent Medtech Insight report, the European market for artificial spinal discs totaled approximately $145 million in 2012. During the forecast period covered by the report, the combined market is projected to increase at a compound annual rate of 9.2%.

A field littered with failures sees few companies brave enough to try again. A big market awaits medtech start-ups that find a successful way to end the need for autografts and allografts for soft-tissue repair.