A YORKSHIRE investment body is holding up York-based OptiBiotix Health a successful example of pre AIM listing funding.

OptiBiotix, based in the Innovation Centre at York Science Park, is developing products to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes for a global market.

Prior to the company being listed on AIM via a reverse takeover, Finance Yorkshire invested £520,000 from its Seedcorn fund to support OptiBiotix Health in the development of its programmes and human studies.

The company raised £3.3 million via the reverse takeover and is using the funds to develop the intellectual property of OptiBiotix Health, to commercialise OptiBiotix products and for general working capital purposes.

Earlier this year, cleaning technology company Xeros, based in Rotherham, was listed on AIM after a series of Seedcorn fund investments by Finance Yorkshire.

Finance Yorkshire chief executive Alex McWhirter said: "OptiBiotix is another great example of the value that Finance Yorkshire brings to new and early stage technology and knowledge-based businesses.

"We invest having recognised the potential for high growth in these types of businesses and it is rewarding to see OptiBiotix in such a strong position within two years of its launch."

OptiBiotix was founded by Stephen O’Hara, chief executive, and David Evans who is chairman.

Mr O’Hara said: "Finance Yorkshire’s initial investment in the business came at a vital time for us and provided us with much-needed support.

"Our work provides us with a huge opportunity to address many widely experienced diseases and a chance to significantly improve lives worldwide."

To date, Finance Yorkshire has made 673 investments totalling more than £85.5 million.

Finance Yorkshire is supported financially by the European Union. It has attracted £30 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme, £15million from UK Government and £45million match funding from the European Investment Bank.

Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2 million, specifically to help small and medium sized businesses meet the gaps in the market for the funding they need for growth and development.