OptiBiotix Health plc

("OptiBiotix" or the "Company")

Commercial and scientific update

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skincare, provides an update on recent scientific and commercial activities.

1.    Launch of WellBiome at IFT, USA: The Company has developed a new formulation of WellBiome® as part of its health and wellness portfolio to support healthy ageing. The product has several European and USA health claims allowing on pack claims for heart health, bone health, cognitive health and metabolic health. The formulation is protected by a portfolio of trademarks and patents and was soft launched at IFT in Chicago, USA. The launch of WellBiome® is part of a strategy of extending the Company's product portfolio into other areas of healthcare.

2.    Clinical Study with University of Hull: The Company is conducting a human intervention study with The University of Hull investigating the impact of WellBiome® on reducing post operative complications and hospital stay. The study is funded by the University of Hull with an intended start date either in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023, subject to NHS ethics approval. There is growing interest in the potential of prebiotics in post operative care as a means of reducing pain, surgical complications, and the length of hospital stay.  Whilst exploratory, if successful, this study could open up opportunities for WellBiome® in healthcare.

3.    LeanBiome® Certified as an Informed Ingredient for Sports: The Company is pleased to announce that it has received approval for LeanBiome® as an Informed Ingredient (see  https://ingredient.wetestyoutrust.com/ingredient-search/optibiotix/leanbiome). This is an industry certification which demonstrates that LeanBiome® has been through rigorous independent testing by an authorised body to confirm that it is free from substances that are banned in sport. The risk of contamination with low levels of substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is a serious issue in sport. Certification of LeanBiome® as an informed ingredient is an important step in attracting major sports nutrition companies to incorporate LeanBiome® in their sports nutrition products.

4.    SweetBiotix® Publication: The Company is pleased to announce the publication of a study on the prebiotic activity and sweetness of one of its SweetBiotix® products in a peer reviewed journal (see  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01363). The study reports that enzymatic synthesis of modified mogroside and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose was able to generate products which positively modulated the microbiome with a sweetness profile similar to sugar. The products sweetness, bulking and prebiotic fibre properties could make it a suitable replacement to sugar in everyday products.  This is one of a number of SweetBiotix® products developed for different application types in food, beverages, and dairy.  Publications by independent authors in peer reviewed journals are critical in establishing industry awareness and credibility in the Company's products and provide valuable marketing assets to support product launches.

5.    New Product Development-Extruded Puffs: The Company has been developing low calorie, high prebiotic fibre puffs that make you feel full for longer and reduce your food cravings as an extension of its SlimBiome® and LeanBiome® ranges. Taste testing of four flavours has been successful and investors should start seeing these products launched online and with partners later this year. This is all part of an ongoing product development programme with partners to extend the range of products containing SlimBiome® and LeanBiome®.  

My Protein Breakfast Smoothie: The Company was pleased to see the recent launch of a breakfast smoothie range containing LeanBiome® by The Hut Group as part of its MYProtein range.

Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix Health plc commented: "The Company has been working to develop new first-generation products like LeanBiome® and WellBiome® into the sports nutrition and health and wellbeing market respectively, extend its product range for SlimBiome®, and provide scientific publications to support partners launching second generation products like SweetBiotix® and our microbiome modulators. This is all part of a process of gradually increasing the range of products, applications, and territories creating the potential to open larger market opportunities putting the Company in a strong position for future growth in this exciting area of healthcare."

The Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

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About OptiBiotix - www.optibiotix.com

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), which was formed in March 2012, brings science to the development of compounds which modify the human microbiome - the collective genome of the microbes in the body - in order to prevent and manage human disease and promote wellness.

OptiBiotix has an extensive R&D programme working with leading academics in the development of microbial strains, compounds, and formulations which are used as active ingredients and supplements. More than twenty international food and healthcare supplement companies have signed agreements with OptiBiotix to incorporate their human microbiome modulators into a wide range of food products and drinks.

OptiBiotix is also developing its own range of consumer supplements and health products. The Company's current areas of focus include obesity, cardiovascular health, and diabetes. 

Caution regarding forward looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect", ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.