Biopharma financing finished off 2017 strong with a total value of $14.5 billion in Q4, led again by FOPOs. CVS' massive $77 billion acquisition of Aetna resulted in an all-time quarterly high in the M&A category, and the largest alliances were dominated by the development of vaccines and antibodies.

A new independent health-care company created by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan will put an emphasis on using technology to "simplify" health care. That is music to the ears of digital-health firms.

2018 may not be smooth sailing for Indian firms, going by the predictions of top industry pundits. Possible upheavals on the domestic market, dynamics that demand a hawk eye on expenses and gains but also pressures as a result of FDA reforms suggest that a relatively tough year may be in store.