The deal taps into the use of human microbiome modulators in food and drinks to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes that sees Zeon awarded an exclusive license to manufacture and supply SlimBiome in India in return for 50% of the profit.
Further terms of the agreement will see Zeon cover SlimBiome’s registration costs and any finished product containing Slimbiome with the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).
"We chose Zeon due to their position as India's leading manufacturer of nutraceutical products, industry reputation, extensive national and international partner network, and their expertise in manufacturing high value nutraceutical products,” commented Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix.
“We hope the combination of our strong science and Zeon's local knowledge and manufacturing expertise with our combined partner network will quickly help bring the benefits of SlimBiome technology to India's 29.8m obese men and women."
Indian obesity rate
India’s obesity rate has reached epidemic proportions with numbers rising that coincide with rising middle class incomes and increased access to unhealthy, processed food following the country’s continued integration in global food markets.
In a statement, Optibiotix said the deal optimised the supply chain in Southern Asia by leveraging Zeon's purchasing power, manufacturing efficiencies and partner network to scale up the manufacture and supply of SlimBiome.
“This agreement is an important step in meeting the needs of major Indian and global corporates for SlimBiome, and SlimBiome containing products, in the large consumer markets of India and Southern Asia,” the firm added.
Slimbiome is a patented formulation of prebiotics and dietary fibres that is said to aid in the maintenance of blood sugar levels, inducing a lower blood glucose rise after meals compared to sugar-containing food and drinks.
It achieves this by stimulating the growth of health positive bacteria in the digestive tract to affect regulation of appetite.
OptiBiotix product pipeline
SlimBiome is the first product commercialised by the UK-based firm to manage weight in a series of microbiome-based products currently under development.
These include CardioBiome, shown to reduce total cholesterol by 25% in gut models, ImmunoBiome, designed to improve immune health and reduce allergy symptoms and designed to improve cognitive health and reduce anxiety and stress related conditions.
Zeon, based on the outskirts of New Delhi, develop and manufacture customised formulations and presentations (spray dried and dry blended powders, syrups, capsules, tablets, sachets and diskettes) for the food, herbal, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical Industry.