Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has agreed to acquire The Binding Site Group (BSG) from a shareholder consortium in a $2.6 billion cash transaction that folds in neatly with Thermo Fisher’s existing product portfolio. The acquisition should be completed in the first half of 2023, but while the news had only a modest effect on Thermo’s share prices, this transaction should boost adjusted earnings per share by seven cents in the first full year after the transaction has closed.

Ixlayer Inc. partnered with CVS Health Corp. to streamline lab testing, lower costs and provide actionable steps for patients through a new at-home testing service. Starting with vitamin D levels, Lyme disease, sexually transmitted infections and thyroid function, the collaboration will put a wide range of common lab tests on the pharmacy giant’s shelves and online service for consumers to buy without a prescription or doctor’s visit and at a reduced cost compared to conventional testing channels.

Aural Analytics Inc. and Hhitt Inc., dba Hitcheck, teamed up to offer a cognitive assessment application that could quickly answer the question, “Should he play?” after a hit to the head during a game. Considering the controversy over Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s loss of consciousness following his second head injury in two games last month, the cognitive assessment tool, which includes clinical-grade speech analytics, comes none too soon.

The value of med-tech mergers and acquisitions, as well as deals, fell in the third quarter, although 2022 remains a standout year. M&As are at a five-year high, while deals are second only to 2019, in terms of overall value during the first three quarters. The volume of M&As are behind 2021, but deal volume this year remains on top.

Cordis Corp. entered an agreement to acquire M.A. Med Alliance SA (Medalliance) in a transaction valued at up to $1.135 billion. Cordis will invest $35 million initially and provide an upfront payment of $200 million at closing in 2023. Meeting regulatory milestones will kick in $125 million and commercial milestones through 2029 are tied to an additional $775 million.

Synaptive Medical Inc. and Panaxium SAS have inked a deal to bring high-resolution, real-time, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted cortical mapping to neurosurgeons. Under the collaboration, Synaptive’s Modus V robotic exoscope technology will be integrated with Panaxium’s ultra-flexible iontronic electrocorticography (ECoG) platform.

In an expansion that will surely have other companies wondering why they didn’t move on the opportunity first, Icad Inc. partnered with Solis Mammography to identify cardiovascular risk based on incidental information commonly found in mammograms—and generally ignored.

Orthofix Medical Inc. and Seaspine Holdings Corp. signed a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of (near) equals. Following the close, Orthofix shareholders will own approximately 56.5% of the company and Seaspine shareholders will own approximately 43.5%. The new company’s name will be announced prior to the transaction’s anticipated first quarter of 2023 closing.

Getinge AB reported a partnership with Medtronic plc for the Radiant stent, the first covered stent indicated for chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (ChEVAR). This new balloon-expandable stent graft for renal arteries obtained CE mark approval on Sept. 20.