Two pivotal US trials of pulsed field ablation systems began in early March. Farapulse is sponsoring the ADVENT randomized trial of the Farapulse PFA system and Medtronic launched the international PULSED AF trial of its PulseSelect PFA system.

The series E financing will support the ongoing US trial of Adagio’s iCLAS cardiac cryoablation system and development of Adagio's pulsed field cryoablation technology while the company continues to commercialize iCLAS outside the US.

Between 2010 and the first quarter of 2013, biopharma engaged in 70 deals involving neurodegenerative disease assets covering a wide variety of targets – possibly a consequence of uncertainty about the underlying pathophysiology. AstraZeneca was the top deal maker in the field even as it moved away from CNS as a core therapeutic area.

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.