OPTI Optibiotix Health Plc

OptiBiotix Health plc

("OptiBiotix" or the "Company")

29 July 2024

Company update on activities

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and skincare, provides an update on Company activities and current outlook.

OptiBiotix's products have been developed to meet the needs of global megatrends.  Given the long development timeline for new products with clinical studies and the difficulties of predicting future trends, OptiBiotix developed a broad portfolio of products to mitigate risks.  However, a number of recent market reports suggest that products across all of OptiBiotix's portfolio have potential to meet growing market trends as highlighted in the links below:-

a.    Proven Scientific and clinically efficacy is a key consumer requirement in purchasing health products The top wellness trends in 2024 | McKinsey

b.    Natural weight management/appetite suppressants like SlimBiome® https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/product/appetite-suppressants-market/

c.     Digestive Health and the Microbiome (WellBiome®, Microbiome modulators) - Ten Key Health and Nutrition Trends for 2024 - KHNI (kerry.com)

d.    Sugar reduction (SweetBiotix® Ten Key Health and Nutrition Trends for 2024 - KHNI (kerry.com)

The recent article in the Daily Mail MIDAS column, available here, highlights the potential for SlimBiome® as a natural alternative to the blockbuster weight loss drugs that are currently on the market and how the launch of these drugs has increased interest in natural products like SlimBiome® which help users lose weight by suppressing their appetite.  Media interest has helped OptiBiotix secure a number of interviews with journalists and an article in the August issue of Nutrition Industry Executive (NIE), a publication widely read by industry decision-makers in the USA. 

OptiBiotix has been raising awareness of the potential for its clinically proven product, SlimBiome®, which works in a similar way to Ozempic/Wegovy to reduce hunger and cravings to support weight loss in overweight individuals. OptiBiotix's commercial focus has been on overweight individuals, but recent work with dieticians at a speciality London obesity clinic has indicated SlimBiome® may have potential as an adjunct to treatment with Ozempic/Wegovy.

Reports suggest that patients taking anti-obesity drugs often have a decreasing effect over time despite increasing dose. To counter this, a small number of patients were given SlimBiome® with patients reporting an enhanced appetite suppressant effect. Work is ongoing to explore whether SlimBiome® combined with Ozempic may help to reduce drug dosage (and cost), enhance, or prolong the appetite suppressant effect of these anti -obesity drugs.

In line with its strategy of selling more final product and expanding its interests in the USA, the Company is pleased to announce it has received its first order from a NASDAQ listed USA ecommerce and direct selling company. This is for a tomato soup final product which is expected to be launched in January 2025. This is one of a number of US companies the Company has been working with on SlimBiome®, WellBiome®, SweetBiotix®, and its microbiome modulators.

Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix Health plc said: "We have made real progress this year in progressing our commercialisation strategy of building sales in major international markets like the USA, China, and India, building our ecommerce channels, and selling more final product. We are pleased to report that in just one day this month (July), we achieved our highest daily sales of SlimBiome® on Amazon UK and our own ecommerce site of over £2,400; with SlimBiome® achieving the No.1 best seller for appetite suppressants on Amazon. We're excited about the potential of  SlimBiome® as a natural alternative or potential adjunct to anti -obesity drugs and are working to increase awareness of the potential opportunities this brings to investors and consumers."

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About OptiBiotix - www.optibiotix.com

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), which was formed in March 2012, brings science to the development of compounds which modify the human microbiome - the collective genome of the microbes in the body - in order to prevent and manage human disease and promote wellness.

OptiBiotix has an extensive R&D programme working with leading academics in the development of microbial strains, compounds, and formulations which are used as active ingredients and supplements. More than twenty international food and healthcare supplement companies have signed agreements with OptiBiotix to incorporate their human microbiome modulators into a wide range of food products and drinks.

OptiBiotix is also developing its own range of consumer supplements and health products. The Company's current areas of focus include obesity, cardiovascular health, and diabetes. 

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