Israel-listed Micromedic has invested $1m in BioMarCare Technologies, with an option to invest an additional $1m in the local biotech company.
BioMarCare is a portfolio company of Hadasit Bio-Holdings, a publicly traded holding company for businesses using intellectual property developed and owned by Israel’s Hadassah University Hospital.
Ophir Shahaf, chief executive of Hadasit Bio-Holdings, said: "The investment validates the technology and research behind BioMarCare’s diagnostic kits.
"Not only will the agreement secure funds to advance the research and development of its kits, but more importantly, it will allow for collaboration between the companies with significant synergies utilizing resources, expertise and knowledge that the companies have acquired in the field of cancer diagnostics."
The deal is part of a share crossholding in Israel.
In September, BioLight Israeli Life Sciences Investments, a company currently chaired by Israel Makov, former executive president of Israel-based drugs group Teva Pharmaceuticals, and managed by Suzana Nahum acquired 21% of Micromedic Technologies to gain control as part of its plans to build a biotech cluster in the country.
Under the agreement, BioLight subsidiary Zetiq was transferred to full ownership of Micromedic, and, in exchange, BioLight received 21% of Micromedic, plus options on a further 5% for five years.
Two months earlier, Dilip Shanghvi, chief executive of India-based Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, through his private company, MJ Pharmaceuticals, invested NIS10.5m ($2.8m) in BioLight for an 11% stake.