During the fourth quarter of 2010, 86 biopharmaceutical financings totalled $5.73 billion altogether, a whopping 239% increase over the previous three-month period in which 71 deals garnered $1.69 billion. M&A dollar volume also increased - 20 acquisitions brought in a combined $9.4 billion, a large chunk of which was Pfizer's $3.56 billion buy of King. And alliances between universities and biopharma companies, particularly Big Pharma and start-ups, were abundant.

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.