OptiBiotix Health, a leading life sciences business focused on harnessing the power of the human microbiome to tackle and manage chronic diseases, has signed a deal to manufacture and distribute its weight management technology SlimBiome in Australia and New Zealand.
The company, which focuses on developing compounds to tackle obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol, has entered into an agreement with Maxum Foods Pty Ltd (Maxum) to manufacture, supply and distribute SlimBiome weight management technology into Australia and New Zealand.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, two in three Australian adults were overweight or obese in 2017-18, whereas the New Zealand Health Survey 2017/18 found that one in three adults were obese.
As a result, consumers are seeking new ways to manage their weight and in Australia they are expected to spend AUS$320 million on dietary supplements, industry weight loss counselling services and related low-calorie foods in 2019-20.
Dr Fred Narbel, Managing Director of Optibiotix’s prebiotics division, commented: “This is an excellent collaboration that will extend the commercial reach for SlimBiome as a specialised functional ingredient into a wide range of applications including, but not limited to, food and beverages, dairy, dietary supplements and sports nutrition."
“We are delighted to be working with established partner Maxum, which has logistical and technical expertise and a reputation for supplying high-quality products to the food industry."
"The deal places us in a great position to meet the demands of the local population, offering the Australian and New Zealand markets bespoke concepts and weight management products, derisking our supply chain and providing a great opportunity to increase our global commercial reach.”
The patented ingredient, which won the "Weight Management Ingredient of the Year" award at the NutraIngredients Awards 2018, contains a blend of non-digestible prebiotics and dietary fibres, to create a longer-lasting feeling of fullness. The ingredient also helps burn calories by promoting a healthy metabolism and maintains blood sugar levels to prevent overeating.
Maxum is an Australia-based dairy supplier headquartered in Brisbane. The company operates a dry blending facility in Melbourne, as well as distribution centres throughout Australia and New Zealand and has been named one of Australia’s fastest-growing SMEs on the 2018 Smart50 list.