Medical Device Maker Gets Grant for Prenatal Project

International Remote Imaging Systems Inc. in Chatsworth has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The money is to support research in developing a prenatal system that can detect common genetic abnormalities in newborns.

IRIS is primarily a maker of urinalysis devices used in hospitals and medical schools.

The company also reports it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a public offering of 3 million shares of its common stock.

It said the proceeds from the sale would be used to finance its recent acquisition of the cytogenetic analyzer business of Perceptive Scientific Instruments Inc., to repurchase shares and warrants, for working capital and general corporate purposes.