Life sciences group OptiBiotix Health plc (LON:OPTI) is targeting spring next year to launch a range of cardiovascular products to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
Optibiotix says it has a range of product formulations, and a supporting distribution and sales structure with partners to support the launch.
The firm specialises in modifying the human microbiome to prevent and manage disease such as obesity and the ever prevalent diabetes, and has had positive results from work with human gut models.
This has shown that In the presence of microbiome modulators, its cholesterol reducing strain brand (LP-LDL TM) showed a threefold increase in cholesterol reduction.
The firm reckons this is the first time anyone has demonstrated a targeted change in the microbiome leading to enhanced biological activity and an improved health benefit, namely cholesterol reduction.
Combining microbiome modulators with existing products such as probiotics is a market expected to be worth more than US$46.5bn by 2020, says Optiobiotix.
It highlights that Danish group Christian Hansens’ recent acquisition of a single microbial strain (LGG) from Valio for US$82mln demonstrates the potential value.
Chief executive Stephen O'Hara, told investors: "OptiBiotix has made significant progress in the last six months in developing its science, building its IP portfolio, and gaining commercial traction with steadily growing revenues from partnerships and products sales."
He also noted: "OptiBiotix's weight management division is now profitable with growing sales of GoFigure products and great consumer feedback and reorders."
Broker FinnCap said: "By combining Optiscreens LDL cholesterol reducing strain with its own novel OptiBiotix sugars, management have demonstrated a threefold increase in the products’ capability to lower Low Density Cholesterol (LDL) in human gut models."
Analyst Alex Pye added: "With its Slimbiome, GoFigure product range already on the market and steadily gaining consumer attention, we are encouraged by the progress being made in commercialisation of its novel microbiome modulating technologies."
Shares eased 1.57% on the day to 0.16p.