Two biopharma IPOs in the US continue streak of (mostly) positive returns; two new European VC funds launch as Irish antibiotic developer raises $65m; and Halozyme, Ziopharm price offerings.

Basel-based BioMedPartners has launched a new CHF75m venture capital fund, BioMedInvest III, boosting financing opportunities for startups and mid-sized biotechs in the sparse European market.

In a deal worth $139 million, UCB and Sanofi are pursuing anti-inflammatory medications for GI conditions and arthritis; Sterigenics bought isotope maker Nordion for $727 million. Public offerings again drove biopharma financing, making up more than 50% of the $3.4 billion raised; device financing totaled $219 million, with most of the funding from debt and FOPO transactions.

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 February through March 2014.