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 roundup of recent medtech strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions and financings.

Not much has changed over the past quarter century in surgically treating long-bone fractures of the humerus, tibia and the femur. Typically, these fixation procedures involve the insertion of an intramedullary nail through an adjacent joint and down the center of the injured bone. But a new method to treat long-bone fractures developed by NovaLign Orthopaedics avoids the need to involve an adjacent joint. Its IM fixation system offers a less invasive surgical technique, while providing comparable structural integrity of more traditional devices, according to the company. The key is a device that operates in both a flexible and rigid mode through a small entry point outside the joint capsule.

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Medical Dermatology Gets Under VCs' Skin," features profiles of Garnet Biotherapeutics, Medimetriks and Topica Pharmaceuticals. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Carolus Therapeutics, Forma Therapeutics, NovaLign Orthopaedics, OmegaGenesis and PercSys.