OptiBiotix and Tata sign agreement aimed at fighting diabetes

Life sciences group OptiBiotix said on Tuesday it had entered into a scale up and manufacturing agreement with Indian soda ash producer, Tata Chemicals.

The agreement would allow Tata to exclusively manufacture galacto-oligosaccharide produced with OptiBiotix's patented LP-LDL strain for use in over the counter food products aimed at tackling obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Tata's experience in microbiome modulation will see them incorporate LP-LDL into new food products in hopes that its selective ability to modify an individual microbiome would lead to improved health for consumers.

Trials have seen LP-LDL reduce cholesterol levels as much as three times.

Stephen O'Hara, chief executive of OptiBiotix said, the "agreement with Tata Chemicals which creates the opportunity to scale up and manufacture galacto-oligosaccharide produced by our LP-LDL® strain (LPGOS)."

"We believe the combination of OptiBiotix's ability to develop ingredients which can modify an individual's microbiome, and Tata's research and manufacturing expertise, international reputation, and global reach, places both companies at the forefront of global microbiome research and product development. I believe we are fast approaching the next stage in the development of the microbiome in healthcare, where scientists have the ability engineer components of the microbiome to prevent, manage and treat many of today's chronic lifestyle diseases."

As of 1145 BST, shares had edged forward 6.36% to 74.45p.