REG - OptiBiotix Health - Contract signed with NIZO Food Research <Origin Href="QuoteRef">OPTIO.L</Origin>

OptiBiotix HealthAnnouncement

10/03/2015 07:12

RNS Number : 9502G
OptiBiotix Health PLC
10 March 2015
10 March 2015
OptiBiotix Health plc
("OptiBiotix"orthe Company")
Contractsigned withNIZOFood Research
OptiBiotixHealthplc(AIM: OPTI),alifesciencesbusinessdevelopingcompoundstotackleobesity,high
cholesterolanddiabetes, announcesthatithassigneda thirdagreementwithNIZOFoodResearchBV("NIZO"), the contractfoodresearchorganisationbased inthe Netherlands.
OptiBiotixiscontractingNIZOto screen strains of bacteria for the presence of enzymes which produce novel oligosaccharides (carbohydrates that consists of a small number of sugars). 
This contract extends OptiBiotix's screening programme on Lactobacillus species to other species of bacteria. In summary:-
 360 strains have been selected from OptiBiotix's own collection and partner collections 
 Strains have been selected to produce sugars with a potential to manipulate the human microbiome in order to manage high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes 
 Strains demonstrating high enzyme production will undergo additional testing to determine enzyme activity and sugar structure 
 10 strains have been included from international commercial partners
This work will help identify non-digestible sugars with the potential to act as calorie free sweeteners, and/or selectively enhance the growth rate of specific microbial strains, species, and genera, to modulate the human microbiome to prevent, manage, and treat disease. OptiBiotix's Head of R&D, Dr Sofia Kolida, is leading this work, with the project expecting to last 5 weeks. Dr Kolida has expertise in using novel sugars and their application as food ingredients. 
StephenO'Hara,CEOofOptiBiotix,commented:"Increasing the number of microbial species is an exciting extension of our existing programme which broadens the range of product and partner opportunities and mitigates development risk. We are particularly pleased that commercial partners have recognised the opportunity presented by this work and have included their own strains in the development programme."
OptiBiotix Health plc
www.optibiotix.com
Stephen O'Hara, Chief Executive
Contact via Walbrook below


Cairn Financial Advisers LLP
Tel: 020 7148 7900
Liam Murray / Avi Robinson



Hybridan LLP (Joint Broker)
Claire Louise Noyce
Tel: 020 3713 4581
Peterhouse Corporate Finance Ltd (Joint Broker)
Tel: 020 7469 0936
Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey



Walbrook PR Ltd
Tel: 020 7933 8780 or optibiotix@walbrookpr.com
Anna Dunphy
Mob: 07876 741 001
Mike Wort
Mob: 07900 608 002


About OptiBiotix Health PLC- 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 pilotplants in Europe, and more than 65 years' experience and expertise in product manufacture. 

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