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OptiBiotix Health Plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing products which modify the human microbiome, announces that it has appointed three further members to its 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 three members of OptiBiotix's SAG are:-

Professor Patrice D. Cani is a research associate at the FRS-FNRS (Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique) in Belgium. He is also group leader in the Metabolism & Nutrition research group (MNUT) at UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain) in Brussels and co-director of the European Associated Laboratory "NeuroMicrobiota" Lab (INSERM/UCL) in Toulouse, France. Since 2010, he has been a regular visiting Professor at Imperial College London in bio molecular medicine. Professor Cani's main interests lie in the investigation of the role of the gut microbiome in the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and low grade inflammation. Professor Cani is a founding member of the BNS (Belgian Nutrition Society), a member of the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) and an alumni from the ENLP (European Nutrition Leadership Platform) in 2008, which was accessible only upon strict selection and providing European certification.

Prof Jens Walter is an Associate Professor at the Campus Alberta Innovation Programme (CAIP) and Chair for Nutrition, Microbes and Gastrointestinal Health at the University of Alberta in Canada. Professor Walter's research is primarily concerned with the microbial ecology of the human and animal gastrointestinal tract and the metabolic and immunological interactions between the microbiome and its host in relation to health. Prof Walter's research, has resulted in several publications on the evolution of the model gut symbiont Lactobacillus reuteri, the importance of environmental (diet), host factors on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome, and the impact of diet on gut microbial ecology in relation to health.

Steven Morrison is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry professional, with over 23 years' experience in small, medium and large companies directing global drug development programmes and as part of international project teams. Most recently, Steven was Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Provexis which develops and licences foods for specific medical purposes as well as, functional foods & dietary supplements. While there he was responsible for research & development, regulatory affairs, intellectual property and manufacturing. Steven's previous roles include Global Project Leader at Ipsen Ltd., Director at Shire Pharmaceutical Development and Research Associate at American Cyanamid (Lederle Laboratories).

All three new SAG members have extensive knowledge and scientific understanding, and are internationally recognised as key opinion leaders in this field. The addition of these brings the total number of SAG members to six. Professor Glen Gibson, Professor Jason Halford, Professor Bob Rastall, Professor Patrice D. Cani, Professor Jens Walter and Steven Morrison now make up the Group.

Stephen O'Hara, OptiBiotix's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am delighted to welcome these three new appointments to our Scientific Advisory Group. The addition of Prof Cani and Prof Walter's extends our global network of contacts and expertise into Europe and North America. OptiBiotix Health will continue to extend our global reach in this field to bring better science and better health to all."

For further information, please contact:

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.