Life sciences group OptiBiotix (LON:OPTI) has revealed more detail from last year's positive clinical study for its cholesterol reducing capsules.
The study of 50 volunteers was conducted over 12 weeks and was designed to test the safety and effectiveness of OptiBiotix's lactobacillus plantarum strain in mildly hypercholesterolæmic adults.
Compared to those on the placebo, those taking OptiBiotix's capsules saw a 7.2% reduction so-called bad cholesterol (LDL, or low-density lipoprotein), with the female element of the test group seeing a 12.4% reduction.
Among those (of both sexes) aged between 50 and 55, there was a 15% reduction in bad cholesterol.
There was a 36.7% reduction in cholesterol levels of volunteers whose cholesterol levels were higher than six millimoles per litre (mmol/L), while a 6 millimetres of mercury (mmHg), or 5.1%, average reduction in systolic blood pressure was seen across the group taking the OptiBiotix capsules.
As previously indicated, no safety, compliance, or tolerance issues were reported by volunteers during the study in either group.
The results of this independent, blinded study provide early evidence that OptiBiotix's strain has commercial potential as a safe, easy to use, low cost, cholesterol reducing supplement, the company said.
The results suggest efficacy across all volunteers similar or greater to 1.5 - 2.4 g plant sterols/stanols per day, and in volunteers with total cholesterol level greater than 6mmol/L an efficacy more typically associated with pharmaceuticals.
"We are really pleased with the results of this study which opens up opportunities for a single product for both conditions (high cholesterol and high blood pressure) or two different products targeting separate conditions,” said Stephen O'Hara, chief executive of OptiBiotix.
“Given the market opportunity and limitations of existing products such as statins, the commercial potential for this product looks promising. Commercial discussions are progressing with potential partners best positioned to fully exploit the opportunity as a cholesterol and/or hypertension supplement, in isolation, or in combination with existing approaches," O'Hara added.
Shares in OptiBiotix, up 150% over the last year, rose 4.6% to 81.875p in the first 45 minutes of trading on Thursday.