“As in recent quarters, the majority of M&A dollars — 89 percent this quarter — were spent in the four health care technology sectors we cover: Biotechnology, e-Health, Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals,” observed Stephen M Monroe, Managing Editor at Irving Levin Associates. “The quarter produced four billion-dollar deals, worth a combined total of $26.8 billion, or 68 percent of the total amount committed during the quarter. All four were in the technology segment, with three in Pharmaceuticals and one in Medical Devices.” “The Pharmaceutical sector saw strong M&A activity in the first quarter, particularly among specialty and niche companies in Europe, as mid-size companies seek to build the critical mass that will make them more competitive in an already competitive sector,” observed Sanford Steever, PhD, Editor of the Report.