The new capital will allow the VC arm to create and finance "a new and larger portfolio of innovative companies that align with the future strategies" of Merck's businesses.

Amid a rising tide of sentiment against foreign consumer brands in China, observers say the impact could be far-reaching. But other factors may be more important than public opinion, and innovation will remain a key to success for health sector players.

On the sidelines of the 2017 BIO-Europe partnering meeting, Scrip talks to Thierry Bourbié, chair and CEO of Pharmaleads, a pharmaceutical company developing non-opiate products for the management of acute and chronic severe pain.

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 Windhover's Strategic Transactions Database, providing comprehensive transaction coverage from 1991 to the present.