OptiBiotix Health PLC (LON:OPTI) confirmed it has inked a deal with Seed Health, which will produce, promote, market and commercialise in the US products containing the former's cholesterol-lowering additive, LP-LDL.
Financial details of the non-exclusive agreement weren't disclosed. But, investors were told Seed has developed a product concept which combines multiple strains of different probiotics that have been selected because of strong clinical trial data.
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OptiBiotix's LP-LDL strain has published human data demonstrating significant statistical and clinical reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure.
Shared vision
"We chose Seed due to our shared vision of commercialising products with strong scientific and clinical data, their innovative product concept, and their ability to access the large US consumer goods market," said chief executive Stephen O'Hara.
"We are pleased that our strong science, successful human studies and international awards at major scientific conferences has attracted international interest in our products leading to continued regular deal flow as we build multiple revenue streams from partners across the world."
Optibiotix has developed a number of compounds that interact with the human microbiome to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skin complaints.
Complex interaction
The microbiome is a complex interaction of bacteria that exists in the gut and on the skin and it's known fine tweaks to it can affect and improve health.
LP-LDL is one of a number of developments by CEO O'Hara and his team that tap into huge potential markets.
America is one of the largest and fastest growing probiotic markets in the world, with supplement sales currently around US$2.1bn annually and the market expected to grow to US$3.3bn by 2021.
Partner Seed was co-founded and is led by Raja Dhir and Ara Katz to pioneer the application of microbiome science.
In collaboration with leading scientists and a global network of partners and experts in biofermentation, stabilisation and testing, Seed reckons it has developed a new standard for a pipeline of effective, scientifically-validated probiotics that target the human microbiome.
The shares, up 23% in the last month, advanced 2.4% early on to 74p, valuing the business at just shy of £60mln.
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