OptiBiotix Health Share News (OPTI)

(Sharecast News) - Life sciences company OptiBiotix Health announced the commercial launch of two products formulated with its 'SlimBiome' product in the Indian market on Tuesday, in partnership with Anthem BioPharma and Zeon Life Sciences.
The AIM-traded firm said Anthem BioPharma launched two products formulated with SlimBiome to the Indian market on 16 December.

It said the products were 'Metalite' - a supplement to aid with effective weight management, and 'Metalite Pro' - a high protein meal replacement.

"India is currently one of the most attractive potential markets for the health and wellness industry due to its large, fast urbanising population," said Anthem's marketing and sales business head of diabetology, Pratik Girish Ligade.

"Increasing stress and [an] unhealthy lifestyle has made nearly one out of four adults overweight.

"The main reasons behind this alarming situation is an increase in the consumption of processed food, lower levels of physical activity and increased professional and personal life pressures."

Liugade said truncal obesity in adults and teens, unhealthy food choices and contamination of food, water and air in cities was creating a "perfect storm" of lifestyle diseases.

"Consumers are becoming aware of the serious health risks resulting from their new lifestyle choices and are willing to do something about it.

"As a result, there is an increase in wellness products and dietary supplements product offerings targeting weight loss, however, there is hardly any clinically tested meal replacement product available in India."

Ligade said it would give Anthem a "great opportunity" to make an impact in the space, with the company believing SlimBiome would play an "important role" in addressing the obesity pandemic that was continuing to increase.

"We chose SlimBiome because it is scientifically formulated and clinically proven to function in weight management applications."

Dr Fred Narbel, managing director of OptiBiotix's prebiotics division, added that the firm was "very pleased" to announce the commercial launch in partnership with Anthem BioPharma and Zeon Life Sciences - the exclusive manufacturer of SlimBiome in India.

"This launch is the start of recurrent revenues in India and we are confident in our capacity to replicate similar deals in other markets in the near future now that we have production partners in North America, the UK, Europe and India," Dr Narbel explained.

At 1158 GMT, shares in OptiBiotix Health were up 3.59% at 47.65p.