Analytical laboratory instrument manufacturer Waters Corporation is pouring €400,000 into University College Cork's (UCC) INFANT centre. The latter is currently developing a test that will predict premature birth in expectant mothers, according to Irish Examiner.

Under the terms of the investment deal, Waters will also bring €2m worth of specialist equipment to the INFANT centre. According to research director Professor Louise Kenny, the money will be a "starting investment." The deal could lead to a future partnership between the two entities, the report explained.

Professor Kenny has been developing the test for over 14 years already. She said the test could effectively predict whether a pregnant woman is likely to have a spontaneous pre-term birth (PTB) in the later stage of pregnancy. The test is done in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, the report detailed.

Pre-term birth is among the biggest causes of death and illness in newborn babies. Having a way to determine its likelihood could lead to prevention and improvement in perinatal care, Irish Examiner reported.