MIIP is a formal collaboration between the U.S. and Israel that awards grants to companies doing R&D in the life sciences, clean energy and technology sectors.

BOSTON, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — On June 19, 2012, the Massachusetts-Israel Innovation Partnership awarded $1.3 million in grants to four U.S. and Israeli companies working together on R&D projects in the life sciences, clean energy, and technology sectors. The recipients were named by MassachusettsGovernor, Deval Patrick, and the Chief Scientist of Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, Avi Hasson.

The four grant winners are:

SBH Sciences and Improdia of Israel will work together toward the development of an immunosuppression prognostic kit. SBH will receive $184,000 from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center and Improdia will receive $202,000 from OCS.

Automated Medical Instruments will work with STI Lasers of Israel to develop new technology involving radio frequency energy to perform circumferential ablation of the pulmonary veins. AMI will receive $116,000 from the center and STI Lasers will receive $110,000 from OCS.

Lantheus and Check-Cap of Israel will work together to develop a novel 3-D imaging capsule that can be used to screen for polyps and lesions associated with colorectal cancer. Lantheus will receive $300,000 from MTC and Check-Cap has been selected to receive $675,000 from OCS.

FloDesign Sonics and Transbiodiesel of Israel are the clean energy award winners. Their joint project will use FloDesign’s acoustic molecule separation technology to separate oil that can be used to create fuel from oil-generating algae. FloDesign Sonics will receive $55,000 from MassCEC and Transbiodiesel will receive $20,958from OCS.

USISTF Executive Director Ann Liebschutz said, “this is a model of how international research and development cooperation can be leveraged to accelerate technology development and drive economic growth in both nations. ”

The U.S.-Israel Science & Technology Foundation (USISTF), is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Israel Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor with a mission of strengthening the scientific and R&D relationship of the U.S. and Israel to promote economic growth through innovation. USISTF convenes U.S.-Israel scientific and industry conferences produces policy strategy and facilitates R&D framework programs that enable joint research activities.

For more information, contact Ann Liebschutz, Executive Director, U.S.-Israel Science and Technology Foundation

Contact: Ann Liebschutz
Tel. 202/204-3102
E-Mail: ann@usistf.org