Cancer rates are rising worldwide and as diagnostic techniques continue to improve, new surgical ablation devices are becoming crucial weapons in the growing arsenal of cancer treatment tools. These devices allow doctors to burn away tumors with precision, speed and safety, without the side-effects that patients undergoing radical cancer therapy often experience. This article provides an overview of the cancer ablation market, highlights the key players working on these devices and discusses their potential applications. It also includes critical insights from a leading interventional urologist on the pros and cons of using these various technologies in treating prostate cancer.

Elcelyx spins out new company to advance weight-loss supplement while it focuses on delayed-release metformin for type 2 diabetes. Also, Medivir announces promising data for a combination of HCV drugs in patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis of the liver, while Repligen has earned its first milestone under a collaboration in spinal muscular atrophy with Pfizer.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Elsevier Business Intelligence’s premium source for tracking life sciences deal activity, the Dealmaking column is a survey of recent health care transactions listed by relevant industry segment –In Vitro Diagnostics, Pharmaceuticals, and Medical Devices – and then categorized by type –Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing.

Epizyme/Celgene, Amylin/BMS/AstraZeneca and Foundation Medicine garner readers’ huzzahs in our 2012 Deals of the Year poll. Plus Roche, Pfizer and Sanofi Pasteur start off 2013’s deal-making.