LONDON (Reuters) - Irish healthcare group Alltracel ALAP.L became the latest in a string of biotech companies to admit to a funding crisis on Friday, agreeing a 20.8 million pound ($40.86 million) takeover by U.S. firm HemCon.

The company said in a statement it was likely to have funding requirements in the short to medium term, and its independent directors were concerned the public capital or debt markets may not be able to supply it.

Shares in the company were up 8 percent at 13.5 pence by 1228 GMT, just below the cash offer price of 14 pence a share.

Alltracel, which specializes in oral and wound care, is the third biotech firm this week to report funding concerns.

Scotland's Ardana (ARA.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it was seeking a sale or merger amid difficult market conditions, while a day later analysts said migraine-specialist Vernalis (VER.L: Quote, Profile, Research) had become a takeover target after cutting over half its workforce.

Alltracel, which floated on London junior market AIM in 2001, could not immediately be reached for further comment.

U.S. acquirer HemCon is also a wound treatment developer, and supplies bandages to the U.S. army.

(Reporting by John Bowker; Editing by Paul Bolding)