SYNTOPIX Group, which develops antimicrobial products to be used in the medicine and consumer healthcare markets, has agreed to buy Leeds Skin Centre in a £900,000 deal.

The Wetherby-based pharmaceutical research and development company is issuing 50,000,000 new ordinary shares, at 4p per share, to raise £2 million to fund the acquisition and provide extra working capital.

Leeds Skin Centre, also based in Wetherby, runs an independent commercial testing facility and laboratory service facilities and contract research services and consultancy to the pharmaceutical, personal products and health-care industries.

Dr Stephen Jones, chief executive of Syntopix, said the acquisition of Leeds Skin, whose client base includes Boots and L’Oreal, was expected to enhance earnings.