By Neal Sandler

The number of new jobs in Israel’s high-tech sector rose 20 percent last year, the largest increase since 2002.

Figures released by industry placement firm Job Info Group also pointed to a sharp increase in salaries paid in the sector.

The report by Job Info noted that demand for software engineers rose 11 percent. Demand in certain market segments like Java and real-time programmers climbed 38 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

Mellanox IPOs on Nasdaq

Mellanox Technologies became the latest Israeli high-tech firm to go public on the Nasdaq. The company has sold a 20 percent stake for $102 million.

Mellanox develops semiconductors for boosting connections in large companies. The chips can support speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second between an enterprise’s storage, memory processing, and communications systems.

Major customers include another Israeli startup, Voltaire, as well as Cisco Systems, SilverStorm, and Hewlett-Packard. The company plans to use the proceeds from the IPO to finance product development and for other operating expenses.

Runcon Considers an IPO

Runcon Technologies is considering a Nasdaq IPO. Israeli venture capital industry sources say the company has been in touch with investment banks. Founded in 1997, Runcon develops WiMAX chip sets.

The Rishon Le Zion-based company has cut deals with several telecommunications industry giants, including Samsung Electronics, Nortel, and Alcatel. Sales last year reportedly totaled $25 million.

Bioline Therapeutics Big Success in Tel Aviv

IPO fever has also caught on in Tel Aviv. Bioline Therapeutics became the latest to catch it, raising $50 million in the largest ever IPO by a biotechnology firm in the local market. The company sold 45 percent of its shares.

Bioline was founded in 2003 by local drug giant Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Giza Venture Capital, Pitango Venture Capital, and Hadasit, the commercialization arm of the Hadassah Medical Organization. The company is working on developing 10 drugs, three of which have reached the clinical trial stage.

GlassHouse Acquires MBI and Integrity Systems

Framingham, Massachusetts-based IT consultancy firm GlassHouse Technologies has acquired MBI Advanced Computer Systems and its subsidiary Integrity Systems. Financial terms were not released, but local financial sources estimated the deal at around $22 million.

MBI provides integrated storage technology, while Integrity Systems focuses on software infrastructure services. The two companies will merge to form GlassHouse Technologies Israel.

Boston Scientific Could Buy Beta-O2 Stake

Israeli press reports say Boston Scientific is in talks with Israeli medical device startup Beta-O2 Technologies. Under the deal being discussed, Boston Scientific would be given an option to buy the Israeli artificial pancreas startup in stages.

Initially the medical device giant would acquire a 10 percent stake for $4 million and buy additional shares subject to Beta-O2’s progress in product development and regulatory approval.

Simbionix and Gigya Raise New Rounds

Medical simulator startup Simbionix has raised $3 million in a second round of financing. The round was led by Cleveland-based Early Stage Partners.

Astro Manufacturing, the startup’s United States partner, also participated in the round. Simbionix develops simulators for doctors and nurses. Sales last year were reported to be around $9 million.

Email tech startup Gigya has raised $4 million in a first round of financing from Benchmark Capital. Founded in November 2006, Gigya is livening up email content. The software inserts games, video clips, and graphics in email messages.

Check Point Launches First Hardware Device

Check Point Software Technologies has debuted its first hardware product. The Internet security company has begun selling its UTM-1 product for medium-sized businesses and enterprise regional sites.