OptiBiotix Health PLC (AIM:OPTI) shares headed higher after the company published a third human volunteer study on its cholesterol reducing probiotic, LPLDL.
Previous studies have shown that LPLDL was safe and that the higher the starting level of cholesterol, the greater the cholesterol reduction. The aim of the third study was to provide further data in a different population group of adults with hypercholesterolaemia (TC³6mM).
OptiBiotix said hypercholesterolaemic adults are most likely to benefit from a cholesterol reducing effect and the target population of greatest commercial interest group to commercial partners exploring the potential of LPLDLas an over the counter (OTC) natural consumer health product or drug bio-therapeutic.
The results of the study showed that at six weeks, when volunteers taking placebo were compared to those taking LPLDL, there were statistically significant changes to clinically important cardiovascular risk.
These changes included a 34.2% reduction in total cholesterol and a 28.4% reduction in so-called bad cholesterol.
These results suggest efficacy similar to many statins and treatments more typically associated with pharmaceuticals, OptiBiotix said.
"We are really excited with the results of this study which show statistically significant reductions in a number of clinically important cardiovascular risk factors with no compliance, tolerance, or safety issues. These results, along with previous studies and customer feedback, suggest a potential role in the use of probiotics like LPLDL in individuals who have high levels of cholesterol who are unwilling or unable to tolerate existing treatments. Given the market opportunity and possible limitations of existing treatments, the commercial potential for LPLDL in isolation or in combination with existing approaches looks promising,” declared Stephen O’Hara, the chief executive officer of OptiBiotix.
Shares in the company were up 3.6% at 43.5p in early deals.