The numbers are in for the first half of 2016 and as widely predicted, mergers and acquisitions are still a driving force in the medtech industry. Nearly 400 total agreements have been reached already, valuing almost $75.5billion. Following the shocking mega-merger of Medtronic and Covidien valued at $42.9 billiion in 2014 and an increase in sales and merging activity for 2015, the continued activity on this front in 2016 has come as no surprise. While there hasn’t been anything the size of the Medtronic deal so far, mergers and acquisitions continue to shape the industry and drive strategy. Moving forward, there are no signs of an impending slow down of this activity, so it will merit paying attention to as it continues to define and alter the industry. –S.W.

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Today's Medical Developments - Med-device M&A’s hit all-time high

MassDevice - Report: Medtech M&A values up sharply in 1st half of 2016