OptiBiotix strikes LPLDL food supplement deal in Japan

Life sciences company OptiBiotix Health announced on Wednesday that its fully-owned subsidiary ProBiotix Health has signed a non-exclusive license agreement with Tenshindo for the use of lactobacillus plantarum ‘LPLDL’ in cardiovascular food supplements in Japan.

The AIM-traded firm said Tenshindo is a manufacturer of functional food and cosmetics products, founded in Japan in 1986.

It said LPLDL would be the active ingredient in a “novel” cardiovascular health product, that Tenshindo would add to its current portfolio of more than 50 products.

Tenshindo and ProBiotix would work together to obtain an authorised cardiovascular health claim for LPLDL from the Japanese authorities, based on the existing clinical and market evidence on the strain.

OptiBiotix said it was the first end product application deal in Japan emerging from ProBiotix's agreement with the local distributor EIWA Trading Corporation in February, to distribute LPLDL in the country, and part of its strategy to include LPLDL in a wide range of cardiovascular health supplements, and in food, dairy, and beverage products globally.

EIWA and ProBiotix were said to be working together to replicate that model with different partners and different applications in the Japanese market.

“We are pleased to announce this deal with Tenshindo, which will mean our first LPLDL finished product placement on the Japanese market,” said OptiBiotix Health business development director Dr Luis Gosalbez.

“Obtaining an authorised cardiovascular health claim for LPLDL from Japanese authorities will not only be highly advantageous from the commercial point of view, but also an important endorsement for ProBiotix's science.

“Tenshindo, with over 30 years of experience in this market, are an excellent commercial and regulatory partner to make the most of this opportunity.”