THIRTEEN scientists and several tanks of zebra fish have transferred to a new company in a £500,000 deal.

Oxford University spin-out company Summit has sold the zebrafish technology to Evotec, its neighbour at Milton Park.

Mario Polywka, chief operating officer of Evotec, said the employees had transferred companies, but the zebrafish, which are used to test the safety of potential drugs, were more of a problem.

“It’s a very delicate operation to transfer zebrafish, so we are fitting out a special area and they will move in six months, when the work is completed.”

Summit, previously known as Vastox, made several employees redundant in February, when it said it had only enough cash to last until the second quarter of 2009.

Summit said it remained “in discussion with a number of parties” to secure the future of the company, and expected to make a further announcement shortly.

Chief executive Steven Lee said: “This transaction is positive news both for Summit and the zebrafish services business.

“Evotec offers the zebrafish business, including its staff, an exciting future.

“Importantly, the deal provides immediate financial support to Summit that will assist our on-going efforts towards securing the future of the business. This will focus on our iminosugar drug discovery platform, an area of science in which Summit has an unparalleled expertise, and offers great potential for the discovery of new medicines.”

The company’s financial difficulties have meant its workforce has shrunk from about 100 to about 60.