OptiBiotix launches healthy food range, buys majority of partner

Obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skin care focused life sciences company OptiBiotix Health announced on Tuesday the successful completion of a trial launch for its Slimbiome ingredients in a range of meal replacement shakes and natural snack bars.

The AIM-traded firm also reported an investment to create a majority-owned joint venture with The Healthy Weight Loss Company.

Slimbiome is OptiBiotix's patented combination of natural ingredients, its board said, which supports scientifically substantiated weight loss claims.

It said that in independent tests the component ingredients were shown to reduce calorie intake by more than 20% along with reduced levels of cravings.

Working in partnership with The Healthy Weight Loss Company, OptiBiotix carried out a test launch of Slimbiome in GoFigure snacks and shakes under a non-exclusive UK license agreement.

Following the success of the test launch, OptiBiotix has completed an investment to acquire 51% of The Healthy Weight Loss Company.

The board said it sees this as a platform to incubate new technological solutions and develop wider product applications in weight management.

OptiBiotix added that it is continuing to progress discussions for dietary supplements and over the counter applications, both in the UK and internationally.

It said the launch of SlimBiome in the GoFigure range establishes the first application in food products and will support discussions with international partners.

“We are really pleased at the results from the trial and early consumer feedback which provides market evidence for the efficacy of Slimbiome in reducing calorie intake and managing weight loss which will help leverage discussions with international partners on use of Slimbiome as a supplement and food and dairy ingredient,” said OptiBiotix CEO Stephen O’Hara.

“We are delighted to partner with the management of The Healthy Weight Loss Company who have extensive experience in the weight management sector.

“This partnership creates a platform to take our technology developments to market on an accelerated basis providing early consumer feedback which will use to develop future product opportunities both nationally and on a global basis,” O’Hara explained.