The XMed conference, now NextMed Health, returns to the Hotel del Coronado with packed programming. Health care innovators will join leaders from industry, governments, organizations and academia to discuss the future of health care.

During Q4, biopharmas brought in an aggregate $17.5bn in financing and device company fundraising totaled $1.9bn; while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players raised $848m.

Conventional nasopharyngeal swabs work but are not at all enjoyable to use. Making them fun for children should increase adoption, preventing classroom spread of viruses.

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.