Despite a slight wobble in the spring, the pharma and biotech sector came back stronger than ever in 2014, racking up a record-breaking $212 billion in M&A transactions.

The feel good factor also extended to IPOs. Largely fueled by investor appetite for immunotherapy, 2014 boasted 87 flotations, raising a combined $6.3 billion, one of the best hauls since the genomic bubble of 2000.

The venture capital funding environment also continued to improve, making 2014 one of the best years for the sector in living memory.

Key highlights include:

• Specialty pharma M&A frenzy, including the $66 billion purchase of Allergan, helped drive $212 billion in M&A transactions; eclipsing the $152 billion spent in 2009

• IPO filings doubled from 44 in 2013 to 87 in 2014; total amount raised jumped from $2.9 billion to $6.3 billion

• UK-based biopharma company, Circassia, broke IPO records with $332 million debut

• Venture capital funding rose by 33% to $6.5 billion

• FDA drug approvals rose 43% from 2013 with an impressive tally of 50 new drugs

• Eli Lilly was the best performing big pharma stock in 2014 with shares up 35%

• GlaxoSmithKline was the worst performing stock with shares down 15% in the year

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