OptiBiotix Health PLC (AIM:OPTI) said exclusive distributor Nahdi Medical has received approval from the Saudi food and drug authority (SFDA) for GoFigure shakes and bars containing the company's patented weight management aid, SlimBiome.
Nahdi owns the largest pharmacy network in Saudi Arabia with over 1,100 pharmacy outlets countrywide, while its online platform is one of the leading eCommerce pharmacy players within the Gulf Cooperation Council, Optibiotix noted.
A first purchase order has now been placed by Nahdi with a launch in Saudi Arabia expected in the first quarter of 2023.
Optibiotix said that the SFDA approval, which was originally envisaged for early 2022, is "a critical milestone" to sell its products in the Kingdom and also strategically as it seeks registration in other Gulf states.
In a statement, René Kamminga, OptiBiotix Limited’s CEO, commented: "I am very pleased the regulatory approval process is now complete and that we can now focus on getting the GoFigure range direct to the Saudi consumer.
“This particular range has been adapted specifically to fit the consumer preferences in Saudi Arabia and we are confident that we can build lasting success with our partner Nahdi."
GoFigure is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) range of weight management products formulated with Optibiotix’s core prebiotic ingredient SlimBiome and includes shakes, smoothies, pancake mixes and snacks such as crisps, puffs, and gummies.