STOCK WATCH

AVACTA provides services to help with biotech research and development. Yesterday the firm climbed on positive preliminary results for the year to July 31.

It is developing Affimer, a protein used in diagnosis and treatment for various conditions.

Avacta is focused on blood clotting disorders and oncology. These are all at a pre-clinical stage but they aim to be a more effective alternative to antibodies. Revenues had grown 19pc to £2.15m in the year, but losses are likely to be around £4.5m.

Shares climbed 2.4pc, or 2p to 86.5p.