Wellcome Trust lifts stake in Optos

Shares in Optos rose in early trading today after the Wellcome Trust raised its stake in the Dunfermline-based eyecare company.

The healthcare-focused charitable foundation has bought an extra 845,000 shares in Optos, lifting its holding to 4.31 per cent, up from 3.14 per cent previously.

Optos last month revealed a sharp drop in profits, which it blamed on delays in the rollout of its Daytona retinal scanning device.

The firm has also announced a restructuring of its operations in the UK and US, which will mean a facility in Canterbury will close and research and development activities carried out there will be moved to Fife, where it employs about 150 people.

Optos shares were up 3.62p, or 3 per cent, at 125.88p this morning.