Last checked at 2 Dec 2014 07:00
OptiBiotix Health plc
("OptiBiotix" or the "Company")
Successful completion of pre-clinical studies
OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, announces the successful completion of pre-clinical studies.
OptiBiotix contracted Nizo Food Research BV ("Nizo"), to undertake pre-clinical studies on three proprietary cholesterol lowering Lactobacillus strains that OptiBiotix has developed over the past two years. These strains have shown an ability to reduce cholesterol by between 71% and 82% in laboratory tests.
As announced on 11 November 2014, the pre-clinical studies assessed each strain's manufacturability, gastrointestinal robustness and activity against bile salts to determine the strain(s) most likely to achieve a successful outcome in human studies of OptiBiotix's first product, a capsular food supplement.
Results of the pre-clinical studies indicated that one strain of Lactobacillus showed preferential characteristics and is now being manufactured, encapsulated and packaged in preparation for human studies, which are scheduled for January 2015. The data from the results of these further studies are expected to be available by the end of Q3 2015.
Data from the pre-clinical studies also provided information which will be used to reduce the cost, timescale and development risk of future products, such as cholesterol lowering yoghurts, fruit juices, vegetable juices and cereal bars.
Nizo, which is one of the most advanced, independent contract research companies in the world, works with small corporate food and ingredient companies to develop and produce innovative products for the food and drink industry. For more information visit: www.nizo.com
Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, commented: "We are extremely pleased with the outcome of these studies. The completion of pre-clinical studies is an important milestone in product development as it identifies which of our three strains is best suited for our first product, and is most likely to lead to a successful outcome in human studies. At OptiBiotix we believe that better science equals better health and we strive to ensure this becomes a reality."
OptiBiotix Health plc | www.optibiotix.com |
Stephen O'Hara, Chief Executive | Contact via Walbrook below |
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP | Tel: 020 7148 7900 |
Liam Murray / Avi Robinson | |
Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd | Tel: 020 7469 0936 |
Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey | |
Walbrook PR Ltd | Tel: 020 7933 8780 or optibiotix@walbrookpr.com |
Anna Dunphy | Mob: 07876 741 001 |
Mike Wort | Mob: 07900 608 002 |
About OptiBiotix- www.optibiotix.com
OptiBiotix was formed in March 2012 to develop compounds which modify the human microbiome - the collective genome of the microbes in the body - to prevent and manage human disease.
The aim of OptiBiotix is to discover and develop microbial strains, compounds and formulations, which modulate the human microbiome and can be used as food ingredients and supplements or active compounds for the prevention and management of human metabolic diseases, examples of which include obesity, cholesterol and lipid distribution and diabetes.
OptiBiotix has established a pipeline of microbiome modulators that can impact on lipid and cholesterol management, energy harvest and appetite suppression. The development pipeline is fuelled by its proprietary OptiScreen® and OptiBiotic® platform technologies designed to identify metabolic pathways and compounds that impact on human physiology and bring potential health benefits. These platforms are applicable across a wider range of other human diseases.