It has been a disastrous start to the week for the Compumedics Limited (ASX: CMP) share price.
In early afternoon trade the medical device company's shares are down almost 25% to 44.5 cents.
Why are Compumedics' shares being crushed?
At the end of May the company announced that it was looking to form a joint venture with leading China-based premium health-check company, Health 100.
According to the release, the two companies were aiming to form a joint venture that would commercialise Compumedics' Somfit product and technology platform in the China market.
Management stated that if the China Food and Drug Administration gave its approval to the device, Health 100 would purchase 1 million Somfit devices from the joint venture over a two-year period.
This was expected to generate revenue of at least A$133 million (US$100m) over the period for the joint venture, which Compumedics would hold a 49% interest in.
Fast forward to today and things are looking a little mixed.
This morning management advised that due to some unexpected complexities, should a definitive outcome of the current negotiations be achievable, an outcome on the proposed joint venture with Health 100 will be announced within the next 6 to 12 weeks.
Previously it had stated that formal agreements to establish the joint venture would be executed no later than August 16.
What now?
These delays and management's rhetoric certainly don't fill me with confidence that a deal is going to be done.
Because of this I would suggest investors resist buying the dip and wait to see what happens. After all, if the two companies fail to come to an agreement I think there's a good chance that Compumedics' shares will fall even lower from here.
Instead of risking money in its shares, I would suggest investors look at other small cap healthcare technology shares such as Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) and Volpara Health Technologies Ltd (ASX: VHT).
