OptiBiotix Health plc (LON:OPTI) has announced three new patent filings to protect the production methods and product application areas arising from its SweetBiotix product development programmes.
The AIM-listed firm said the first patent filing is a natural high-intensity sweetener with improved flavour profile and microbiome modulating functionality.
READ: OptiBiotix Health sweetener performs well in independent taste test
OptiBiotix also announced a patent filing for sweet natural healthy fibres, being developed as potential bulk sugar replacements which are not digested in the human gut, and hence calorie free.
The group said these patent filings follow on from a total of five successful independent human studies in which OptiBiotix's products and comparator samples were tested by an expert panel of 11 panellists who rated 11 products attributes - e.g. sweetness, aftertaste, off- flavour, bitterness etc - compared to sucrose.
The obesity and cholesterol management company said that the global sweetener market, currently dominated by sugar, is forecast to reach US$112bln by 2020. Therefore, the firm believes filing these additional patents will help protect its inventions and fully exploits the commercial opportunities being explored with industry partners.
Stephen O’Hara, OptiBiotix's CEO said: “With growing concerns over traditional sugars and artificial sweeteners, SweetBiotix has the potential to address a global consumer and industry need, addressing international concerns over the impact of sugar an obesity, with the prospect of replacing ‘unhealthy’ sugars in existing products with non-digestible, low calorie, healthy, SweetBiotix.”