A shortage of new money is likely to drive more and more life sciences companies into mergers and acquisitions [0], say some of the industry's top analysts. Money raised from IPOs, venture capital companies and stock sales dropped to a meager $6.5 billion in the first half of this year, less than a third of the amount posted in the first half of last year. And they cited Invitrogen's acquisition of Applied Biosystems as a prime example of what lies ahead.

Two bright spots: Expanding markets in China and India [1] will help the field as the U.S. economy softens and federal funding of the NIH will grow regardless of who is elected.

- check out the AP report [2]

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Biotech M&A has yet to reach its peak [2]
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Pharma goes mad for biotech deals [4]
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M&A activity heats up as biotech IPOs struggle [4]