The beginning of every new year brings an inevitable desire to dust off the old Magic 8-Ball and make predictions about what's to come.

Last week's flurry of partnering deals included a few unexpected matchups.

AVEO Pharmaceuticals Inc. was on the short-list of biotechs rumored to be planning an initial public offering in the current window, and the rumors proved true. The Cambridge, Mass.-based firm filed to raise $86.25 million, becoming the seventh biotech to join the IPO queue. (BioWorld Today)