The total value of completed M&A transactions in 2011 reached a record $79 billion, largely driven by the takeouts of Genzyme Corp. and Nycomed. The 91 total deals, including private deals where financial terms were not disclosed, far exceeded the next biggest year, 2008, when 76 deals completed.

A record-breaking 64 private companies were acquired last year. Forty-six of those, where financial terms were disclosed, were