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OptiBiotix Health Plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing products which modify the human microbiome, announces the formation of a Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) to support the scientific and clinical development of its compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes. The SAG brings together world renowned scientists with expertise in satiation, the human microbiome and novel food ingredients.

The first three members of OptiBiotix's SAG are:-

Professor Glen Gibson is a Professor of Food Microbial Sciences at the University of Reading. He leads a multi-disciplinary research programme on the human microbiome and its impact on human health and disease. Prof Gibson was responsible for the initiation of the prebiotic concept for gut flora management through diet which is now the subject of many international conferences, research articles, dietary products and media attention with over 1,500 peer reviewed research papers on this subject. Prof Gibson is a former President and a founder member of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

Professor Jason Halford is head of the Department of Experimental Psychology at Liverpool University and Chair of the UK Association for the Study of Obesity. He is a chartered Health Psychologist and currently the Convenor of the Liverpool Obesity Research Network. Prof Halford's early research focused on the role of serotonin in satiety and the use of feeding behaviour to screen anti-obesity drugs, but more recently has moved into the areas of drug-induced weight gain, the effects of nutrients and fibre on appetite and hormone release, the effects of stress on eating behaviour and on lean/obese differences in the expression of appetite. Prof Halford is the co-ordinator of the 8 million Euro EU Framework seven Satiety Innovation SATIN project (www.satin-satiety.eu).

Professor Bob Rastall is a Professor of Biotechnology and Head of Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences at the University of Reading. Professor Rastall's research focuses on functional food ingredients, in particular the understanding of how the structure of non-digestible sugars affects their function, and in using this knowledge to generate novel therapeutic candidates. One of his main research activities is the development of biotechnological manufacturing methods for novel oligosaccharides (a carbohydrate that consists of a relatively small number of sugars) for application as functional food ingredients and as pharmaceutical agents.

All three SAG members have extensive knowledge and scientific understanding, and are internationally recognised as key opinion leaders in this field.

Stephen O'Hara, OptiBiotix's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am delighted to have such esteemed individuals in our Scientific Advisory Group. For a young company to attract such people who are experts in their fields is a testament to our capabilities in this dynamic and exciting area. We hope to be adding further leading key opinion leaders from Europe and the US in the near future as we extend our global reach in this field to bring better science and better health to all."

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About OptiBiotix - www.optibiotix.com

OptiBiotix was formed in March 2012 to develop compounds which modify the human microbiome - the collective genome of the microbes in the body - to prevent and manage human disease.

The aim of OptiBiotix is to discover and develop microbial strains, compounds and formulations, which modulate the human microbiome and can be used as food ingredients and supplements or active compounds for the prevention and management of human metabolic diseases, examples of which include obesity, cholesterol and lipid distribution and diabetes.

OptiBiotix has established a pipeline of microbiome modulators that can impact on lipid and cholesterol management, energy harvest and appetite suppression. The development pipeline is fuelled by its proprietary OptiScreen® and OptiBiotic® platform technologies designed to identify metabolic pathways and compounds that impact on human physiology and bring potential health benefits. These platforms are applicable across a wider range of other human diseases.