Having worked with the Cambridge, MA-based neurology specialist for five years on a treatment-resistant depression drug, Novartis has decided to buy all of Cadent in a deal that could be worth up to $770m.

Scrip spoke with Managing Director Julie Sunderland about Biomatics' new $300m fund. Also, Silicon Valley Bank reveals its surprising Leerink buy, Perceptive Advisors raises $675m, Roivant brings in another $200m, and cell and gene therapy financings surge in the third quarter.

A review of biopharma startup dealmaking and financing activity from January through March 2017, based on data from Strategic Transactions, showed a 19% decline in startup financing compared with the fourth quarter of 2016, but big pharmas provided capital in the form of alliance fees.

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 in March 2017.