REG - OptiBiotix Health - Launch of Dr Morepen LightLife in India

OptiBiotix HealthAnnouncement

03/12/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 4801O  OptiBiotix Health PLC  03 December 2024

OptiBiotix Health plc

("OptiBiotix" or the "Company")

 

Launch of Dr Morepen LightLife in India

SlimBiome® containing finished products

 

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing
compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skincare,
announces the upcoming launch of multiple SlimBiome® containing products
under Dr Morepen's ("Morepen") newly developed LightLife brand in India. This
is being supported by a £1.5million+ marketing investment and follows on from
the partnership agreement signed with Morepen in March 2024
(https://www.optibiotix-ir.com/content/news/archive/2024/130324) for the sale
of SlimBiome® containing products in India.

 

Dr Morepen Ltd is a 100% owned subsidiary of Morepen Laboratories Ltd
("Morepen Laboratories"), an Indian pharmaceutical company listed on the
Indian Stock Exchange. Morepen Laboratories has more than 2,300 employees and
sells over 800 products to over 82 countries. Morepen is a well-known and
trusted brand in India, launched in 2001 to encourage customers to be in
charge of their own health and wellbeing. Morepen has direct access to over
200,000 pharmacies across India and indirect access to another 300,000
pharmacies. Products will be sold online, in pharmacies, and direct to
physicians across India.

 

Morepen's launch will include five flavoured variants of SlimBiome®
containing sachets and a meal replacement with further products to be added
during Q1 2025 and throughout the year. The LightLife brand will be positioned
as India's first 360° weight management plan. As part of this launch, Morepen
will be providing personalised nutrition plans, expert nutrition and expert
fitness counselling which will be available to LightLife consumers via a newly
developed app. This has been designed to offer support to consumers throughout
their weight loss journey by offering free app videos and content with
specifically tailored plans for individuals.

 

This is the first time OptiBiotix has co-invested in marketing with a partner
on this scale and includes a significant and comprehensive marketing plan and
budget of £1.5m+. This will include significant use of influencers, PR, and
numerous digital marketing activities and strategies with the aim of rapidly
gaining a significant market share. The products will be sold on Morepen's
website, across all major online ecommerce platforms in India and will be
available in 5,000+ pharmacies across all key cities in India within the first
year of launch.

 

Obesity is a significant and rapidly growing issue across India, expected to
worsen as India's middle class continues to grow. According to the Indian
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-2021, around 23% of Indian men and
24% of Indian women are overweight or obese, leading to cardiovascular,
diabetes, respiratory and knee joint health issues. Morepen estimate the
target market for LightLife in India to be approximately 197 million adults.

 

Revenues will be both generated through raw material sales of SlimBiome® to
our contract manufacturer KAG Industries (RNS: 30 April 2024) and as a second
larger revenue stream for the finished product sold direct to Morepen.

 

Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, commented: "Morepen is an established, well
known, and trusted brand and this launch represents a material step forward
for the Company's products in the Indian market. This initial launch will
involve six products with subsequent launches at the start of 2025.

 

"Based on Morepen's current forecasts, this agreement could contribute in the
region of £6-7 million revenue per annum to OptiBiotix in the next four to
five years. The partnership has the potential to make a significant financial
impact to the Company. We are very excited to announce the upcoming launch and
look forward to seeing the progress following the investments Morepen has made
in marketing, product development and in supporting customers to reach their
weight management goals.  We are pleased to be part of such an innovative
approach which sets a new benchmark for the weight management industry."

 

Varun Suri, CEO of Dr Morepen commented: "We see the partnership between Dr.
Morepen and OptiBiotix as an important one and have high regard for the
success OptiBiotix enjoys globally because of the science and functionality of
the ingredient and trust in their brand. The upcoming launch of LightLife will
be a first of its kind product in the Indian market and we have designed the
products and the brand ethos to create a successful business and brand. The
strategy teams, the PR partners and OptiBiotix India are all working in tandem
to position the brand and the product as the most relevant in the lifestyle
category of healthy weight management. We have top quality products with
applications that complement the lifestyle of an urban Indian consumer and are
excited for its future."

 

This announcement contains information which, prior to its disclosure, was
considered inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse
Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of
this announcement.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 OptiBiotix Health plc                             www.optibiotix.com (http://www.optibiotix.com/)
 Neil Davidson, Chairman  Contact via Walbrook below
 Stephen O'Hara, Chief Executive

 Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (NOMAD)              Tel: 020 7213 0880
 Liam Murray / Jo Turner / Ludovico Lazzaretti

 Peterhouse Capital Limited (Broker)               Tel: 020 7220 9797
 Duncan Vasey / Lucy Williams

 Walbrook PR Ltd                                   Mob: 07876 741 001
 Anna Dunphy

 

About OptiBiotix - www.optibiotix.com (http://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.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based
on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections about its
industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,'
'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known
and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond
the Company's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the
forward-looking statements. The Company cautions security holders and
prospective security holders not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of
the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this
announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are
made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any
revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events,
circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this
announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory
authority.

 

 

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