A £900,000 deal to acquire a West Yorkshire pharmaceutical testing firm will mean acne cure researchers leaving their Bradford base after five years.

In what is seen as pivotal move, the Syntopix Group is set to acquire Wetherby-based Leeds Skin Centre for Applied Research Limited, which it is buying in a cash and shares deal.

The move will provide Syntopix with its own test-bed for compounds it is developing to produce new skin and oral care products as well as space for expansion.

Syntopix is also looking to raise £2m by issuing new shares to fund the acquisition and provide additional working capital.

The acquisition of Leeds Skin will enable Syntopix to carry out testing in-house.

Leeds Skin is a profitable private company with a turnover of more than £500,000. It runs an independent commercial testing facility specialising in human skin microbiology and dermatology research.

It also provides laboratory facilities, contract research services and consultancy to the pharmaceutical, personal products and healthcare industries. Clients include Boots, L’Oreal and PZ Cussons.

Dr Stephen Jones, Syntopix chief executive, said it was almost certain that the ten-strong business would leave Bradford over the next few months.

Founded in 2003, Syntopix has most recently operated from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation at Bradford University.

Dr Jones said: “We’ve had an excellent base here in Bradford which has enabled us to progress to our current stage.

“But the Leeds Skin premises will offer both the laboratory testing facilities with room for further expansion under one roof.”