The microbiome-focused life science company said three new patent filings follow on from five successful independent human studies in which its products and comparator samples were tested by 11 expert panellists who the products over 11 products attributes including sweetness, aftertaste, off- flavour, and bitterness.
The three filings protect the production methods and product application areas arising from OptiBiotix's SweetBiotix product development programmes. According to OptiBiotix, these include natural high intensity sweeteners – with improved flavour profile and microbiome modulating functionalities – and sweet natural healthy fibres being developed as potential bulk sugar replacements – which are not digested in the human gut and are therefore calorie free.
"We are pleased to announce the filing of these patents which add a further level of protection and value to our SweetBiotix product development programmes,” said OptiBiotix CEO Stephen O'Hara. “Given the scale of the opportunity and the high level of interest we have seen from multiple corporate partners, these flings help protect OptiBiotix's valuable inventions and broaden the number of product application opportunities.”
The UK-based firm added that given that the global sweetener market, currently dominated by sugar, is forecast to reach $112bn by 2022, filing additional patents will help protect its inventions and fully exploit the commercial opportunities being explored with industry partners.
OptiBiotix added that the patents will help broaden the number of product application and partnering opportunities – which now include uses as a sweetener and/or functional food ingredient for foods, beverages, cereals, breaded products, dairy products, and incorporation into confectionary, snacks, and meals, or use as a standalone sweetener product.