OptiBiotix Health Share News (OPTI)

LONDON (Alliance News) - OptiBiotix Health PLC said Friday that all of its research programmes remain on schedule, and that it has identified the potential to create new sugars from a wider range of microbial species than it had originally anticipated.

OptiBiotix is a life sciences business working to develop products to tackle obesity. One area it is working in is screening strains of bacteria for enzymes that produce carbohydrates consisting of a small number of sugars, with the aim of finding non-digestible sugars that can act as calorie free sweeteners.

After initial work on this project ten strains are undergoing additional testing before they are tested for their sweetness and ability to modulate the human microbiome.

"Whilst still at an early stage of development, the ability to create sugars from different species broadens the number of application areas and product and partner opportunities and mitigates development risk," said Chief Executive Officer Stephen O'Hara in a statement.

Additionally, its study for a food supplement to reduce cholesterol began in January. It is expected to complete in July.

Shares in OptiBiotix are trading up 1.9% at 40.25 pence Friday morning.

By Hana Stewart-Smith; hanassmith@alliancenews.com; @HanaSSAllNews

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