Plus: Valneva confirms supply deal with the UK government for its inactivated vaccine candidate; Humanigen expands manufacturing ahead of Phase III data.

Though vastly underreported, new cases of Lyme in the US total more than 300,000 a year; its incidence now exceeds infections for far more visible conditions like HIV. A higher profile for Lyme is hobbled by a slow and distorted institutional response, especially among clinicians who disagree on whether Lyme is one disease or a complex constellation of many – much like cancer, but without the commitment.

Despite one recent setback, Astellas is continuing to expand its vaccines business through a new global deal for Affinivax's lead MAPS pneumococcal product, in a move that builds on earlier research links between the companies.

Derived from Strategic Transactions, Informa’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, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceuticals – and then categorized by type – Acquisition, Alliance, or Financing. This month’s column covers deals announced December 2013 through January 2014.