Joint venture with Nizo Food Research

RNS Number : 6843C

OptiBiotix Health PLC

21 January 2015

 



OptiBiotix Health plc

("OptiBiotix" or the "Company")

Joint venture agreement with NIP B.V., a wholly owned undertaking of NIZO Food Research

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes, announces that it has entered into a 50/50 joint venture ('JV') agreement with NIP B.V., a wholly owned undertaking of NIZO Food Research BV ('NIZO').

As announced 28 October 2014, OptiBiotix incorporated its weight management formulation into fruit yoghurts which were manufactured by NIZO.  An organoleptic (tasting) panel reported the yoghurt products had a smooth feel and taste and had the appearance of conventional yoghurts. These results have led to this JV agreement which has been established to develop, manufacture and distribute (both directly and indirectly) the weight management yoghurt and other dairy products to global markets. NIZO provides manufacturing expertise, industry credibility and a global network of contacts in the dairy industry. This agreement will allow OptiBiotix to fast-track entry into global markets. Both companies are contributing background intellectual property (IP), with any new IP jointly owned.

OptiBiotix has a strategy to partner with multiple organisations and this JV agreement creates an opportunity to access global markets to commercialise the weight management formulation in yoghurt and other dairy products. This JV agreement comes about following the Company's attendance at the Health Ingredients Europe conference in December 2014, where OptiBiotix attracted interest in the product from Europe, the USA, South Korea, and Japan.

Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, commented: "Our weight management formulation has been especially created by industry experts to enhance satiation (feeling of fullness), increase metabolism and reduce energy harvest (calorie intake). Successful manufacturing and tasting studies of our weight management formulation in yoghurts, coupled with early commercial interest and NIZO's industry credibility, has allowed us to advance this opportunity earlier than expected. This announcement is consistent with OptiBiotix's strategy of creating technology platforms which create multiple product and partnering opportunities and is the start of a process to build a strong and sustainable business."

OptiBiotix Health plc	www.optibiotix.com
Stephen O'Hara, Chief Executive	Contact via Walbrook below
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP	Tel: [phone]
Liam Murray / Avi Robinson
Hybridan LLP (Joint Broker) Claire Louise Noyce	Tel: [phone]
Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd (Joint Broker)	Tel: [phone]
Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey
Walbrook PR Ltd	Tel: [phone] or [e-mail]
Anna Dunphy	Mob: [phone]
Mike Wort	Mob: [phone]

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.

About NIZO - www.nizo.com

NIZO is one of the most advanced, independent contract research companies in the world and works with both small and multinational food and ingredient companies to develop and produce innovative products for the food and drink industry. NIZO has one of the largest food-grade pilot plants in Europe, and more than 65 years' experience and expertise in product manufacture.

 

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