Shares in OptiBiotix Health PLC (LON:OPTI) have been in demand since its chief executive, Stephen O’Hara, presented at a global leading conference for innovators in the field of the human microbiome.
For the uninitiated, the microbiome is found in the gut and on the skin. It consists of 10,000 microbial species and some 8mln protein encoding genes.
What we are beginning to learn is this eco-system, a microbial genome if you will, affects immunity, cognitive heath and the metabolism.
Optibiotix is using its knowledge of this emerging area of science to develop treatments that tackle cholesterol and obesity.
At the Microbiome R&D and Business Collaboration Congress, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, boss O’Hara lifted the lid a little on the firm’s two key technology platforms - Optiscreen and OptiBiotix.
He also unveiled for the first time a new class of product, an OptiBiotic.
This is a combination of a targeted probiotic and prebiotic in which the latter selectively enhances the growth of the former and accentuates its helpful properties.
O’Hara reckons the approach signals the beginning of next generation products which will lead to the adoption of human microbiome treatments into mainstream healthcare.
The meet-up ended on March 1 and since shares in OptiBiotix have advanced around 10%.
Today in early deals they are up 3.5p at 77p, valuing the company at £60mln.
The OptiBiotix chief told Proactive: “This conference brings together leading scientific and business leaders from around the world increasing the global awareness of OptiBiotix’s technologies and its product pipeline.
“We are delighted that our presentation attracted so much scientific and commercial interest and anticipate this will lead to a number of new partnering opportunities.”