MORE than 200 people, including academics, scientists and pharmaceutical companies will converge on the Central Science Laboratory at Sand Hutton, York, tomorrow for this year's two-day White Rose Bioscience Forum.

This is the fourth year of the showcase of bioscence projects throughout Yorkshire, which is targeted by delegates in the bio-technology industry from all over the UK and abroad.

Delegates representing the Canadian High Commission and from the New Jersey Biotechnology and Life Sciences coalition will be there to forge new partnering links between Yorkshire and similar bio-tech companies in their countries

This year five young Yorkshire biotech firms will have the chance to pitch directly to venture capitalists and business angels in a special "investment track" run by Connect Yorkshire, the organisation which grooms the region's hi-tech companies to become ripe for backing. They are:

Efamol, of Selby, which makes supplements for dietary treatments of conditions such as dyslexia, pre-menstrual tension and osteoporosis

Paraytec, a University of York spinout, which has developed an advanced analytical detection technology

Pickering-based Gourmet Woodlands Mushrooms, which has evolved innovative ways of producing flavoured mushrooms

Medis Diagnostics, of Sheffield, which has developed a simple non-invasive blood test for the early detection of lung cancer

Medics Research, of Leeds, which has developed a breakthrough method of monitoring blood flow during heart surgery.

Investment levels sought by these companies range from £200,000 to £750,000. The businesses are either already earning revenue or are very close to doing so, and much of the investment is needed to bring the product to market.

Simon Donoghue, acting chief executive of the White Rose University Consortium said: "White Rose is pleased to welcome Connect Yorkshire and the investment track as a new addition to the Bioscience Forum.

"This session will demonstrate to delegates the wealth of novel bioscience research being undertaken in the region. We hope that this opportunity will result in funding for the companies, allowing their technologies to be developed further".

Updated: 11:12 Monday, November 01, 2004