BBSRC Grant for WellBiome®

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skincare, announces that the University of Reading has provided a grant under the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) to fund a research project on WellBiome®.

The research project will be carried out by the University of Leeds and provides £55,451 to assess the ability of WellBiome®, a new prebiotic and mineral complex recently launched by OptiBiotix, to improve gut health and wellbeing. The grant will investigate WellBiome's® impact on the gut microbiome throughout the digestive tract and add to the existing scientific and clinical evidence. This is anticipated to provide further substantiation of existing health claims in international markets.

WellBiome® provides a scientifically formulated, patented and trademarked solution for partners to either enter into, or extend, their product value proposition into the gut health and health & wellness market using functional ingredients. It has a number of existing health claims including:

• Supports digestive health
• Supports brain health and cognitive function
• Contributes to improved bone health by aiding in the absorption of essential minerals including magnesium, calcium and zinc
• Helps sustain a healthy energy metabolism
• Helps reduce systemic inflammation, which lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity
• Maintains a balanced immune response, which reduces the risk of infections and inflammation
• Supports heart muscle function

The launch of a gut and digestive health WellBiome® product in 2023 was part of a strategy to enhance OptiBiotix's range of product offerings and to mitigate the seasonal variations in the sale of weight management products. WellBiome® has received excellent reviews on Amazon with growing month on month sales and a high number of repeat orders.

Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, commented: "The award of this grant to investigate WellBiome's impact on the gut microbiome throughout its length is another step in OptiBiotix's strategy of developing science based functional ingredients which modify the human microbiome to improve health. Consumer understanding and interest in the microbiome and the role of gut health in general health and wellbeing is growing rapidly, particularly in the US, and this is creating a market opportunity that is large and expanding. The development of functional ingredients like WellBiome®, backed by independent science and clinical studies and protected by a broad IP portfolio, allows OptiBiotix and its partners to access this large and growing health and wellbeing trend."