Highlights from the Q4 2008 review of start-up dealmaking: Fundraising in the biopharma, med-device, and in vitro diagnostics industries totaled $551 million, a 41% decrease from 3Q and just another indication of the tough economic times. Of the three acquisitions done this quarter--two in biopharma and one in devices--only one had a disclosed value. About one-third of the 19 biopharma alliances were in the cancer therapy area.

In Vivo briefly describes these recently founded companies: AgileNano, Applied Catheter Technologies, Coromedic, EpiTherapeutics, GPC-Rx and RCP Therapeutics.