A YORK based women's health diagnostic specialist has received almost half a million in funding as it looks to grow its Chinese market for fertility testing in light of the abolition of the one-child policy.

Concepta Diagnostics, based off Micklegate, has secured a £400,000 investment, via a convertible loan note, from Mercia Technologies, which specialises in building, funding and commercialising innovative British businesses.

The investment is Mercia's first using the portfolio managed by Enterprise Ventures Group (EVG), which Mercia's acquired in March this year.

EVG had previously invested seed and early stage finance from its third party managed funds into Concepta, which develops diagnostic devices for women's health.

Founded by a group of scientists who previously worked for Unipath Limited in the fields of fertility and women's health, Concepta has developed a range of market-ready products.

Its product range recently achieved product registration in one of its largest target markets, China, where the abolition of China's one-child policy is expected to drive demand for a cost-effective at-home fertility monitoring system as parents seek to have additional children.

Concepta's product range provides data to women for a variety of fertility applications, using disposable test strips and devices linked to a mobile app which captures levels of key fertility hormones in urine and builds an accurate and easy-to-understand "digital diary".

Investment director Mark Wyatt, who has managed the third party investment for EVG, said: "Having worked with Concepta for a number of years, I am pleased that this new investment will enable the company to move to the next stage of its development and bring this exciting technology to market.

"Typically, follow-on funding can be a real obstacle for the continued development and success of early stage companies but as part of Mercia, we are now able to support regional innovation all the way through its journey thanks to our access to Mercia's direct funding model.

"I am delighted that Concepta is the first of our innovative investments to benefit from this capability and look forward to continuing to work with the team to deliver Concepta's commercial success."

Erik Henau, chief executive of Concepta Diagnostics, said: "We are delighted to work with Mercia. Its endorsement is a boost for our plans to make a major impact in the area of personalised healthcare.

"Our initial product offering will bring hope to millions of couples for whom conception is an agonising wait."