HONG KONG – Singapore molecular diagnostics group Inex Innovate Pte. Ltd. has inked a deal to have its in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) kit for the detection of ovarian cancer distributed in Taiwan. The value of the deal with the New Taipei City, Taiwan-based electronics and med-tech distributor Inalways Corp. is subject to annual minimum order quantities and milestones in relation to regulatory approvals.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Diabetes seems likely to be the first area to really show concrete products and results for the ambitious Verily Life Sciences, which is the med-tech business of Mountain View, Calif.-based Google parent Alphabet Inc. However, its two major diabetes partners both have been rethinking the relationship.

Irvine, Calif.-based Masimo Corp. has agreed to buy the connected care assets of Nanthealth Inc., of Culver City, Calif., for a $47.25 million up-front cash payment. In addition, Masimo provided estimates for its full-year 2020 financial guidance, saying product revenue will increase to $1.035 billion, which reflects reported growth of 10.6% to 10.9%. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of the year, subject to customary closing conditions. In addition, Masimo expects to fund the acquisition with existing cash on hand.

Duluth, Ga.-based Sebacia Inc., which is focused on dermatology and aesthetics, has introduced its new CEO and reported the acquisition of all assets related to Sienna Biopharmaceuticals Inc.'s silver photoparticle technology, which is being reviewed by the FDA for light hair removal.

Two players in the gene sequencing space, Illumina and Pacific Biosciences, have scotched their planned $1.2 billion merger roughly two weeks after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) posted a 5-0 vote to seek an injunction against the merger. While Illumina is consequently liable for nearly $100 million in termination fees, it could recoup those monies under some circumstances. The $1.2 billion merger between Illumina Inc., of San Diego, and Pacific Biosciences of California Inc., was formally announced by the two companies in November 2018, but the deal faced substantial regulatory difficulty from the outset.

HONG KONG – Fujifilm Corp. has entered an agreement with Hitachi Ltd. to acquire Hitachi Ltd.’s diagnostic imaging-related business to further expand Fujifilm’s health care business. Prior to the acquisition, Hitachi will found a new company and implement an absorption-type company split whereby the new company will absorb the business.

LONDON – Dutch startup Enzyre BV is teaming up with Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. to complete development of a home diagnostic device that aims to make it as easy for hemophiliacs to self-test their coagulation status as it is for diabetics to monitor their blood sugar levels.

A pair of Israeli health tech companies, Beyond Verbal and Healthymize, plan to merge to form Newton, Mass.-based Vocalis Health. The company will be focused on developing vocal biomarkers, which track voice patterns via phone calls or smart devices to screen for various voice-indicating ailments including chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions, as well as depression. Vocalis has raised a $9 million financing led by Israeli health tech and life science venture firm Amoon to accumulate additional clinical data and enhance its voice database.