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Boost for Life Sciences with partnership between UK’s OptiBiotix Health and Zeon Lifesciences

Zeon Lifesciences Ltd., a research driven, leading manufacturing partner for Nutraceutical and Herbal products for Indian and global markets has announced its partnership with OptiBiotix Health Plc., a life sciences company operating in one of the most progressive areas of biotechnological research.

Zeon has a DSIR approved R&D lab with a team of professionals who have been actively involved in research on novel molecules and formulations to cater to the latest market demands. Zeon has diversified its portfolio in Medical Nutrition and has been extensively working on delivering precision nutrition for patient care. In the year 2018, Zeon was recognised by ASSOCHAM as “Best Nutraceutical Research Company”.

Zeon has a pipeline of breakthrough products which will focus on key areas of medical nutrition like cancer care, critical care, neurological supplements, etc. These will all be clinically backed up formulations which will capture the market by its efficacy.

OptiBiotix identifies and develops microbial strains, compounds and formulations for use in food ingredients, supplements and active compounds that can impact on human physiology, deriving potential health benefits.

Their R&D approach uses pharma grade platforms targeted on the food and dietary supplement markets protected by 65 patents / 17 families, 8 strain deposits, 28+ trademarks. With an established pipeline of microbiome modulators, the OptiBiotix team works today in the prevention and management of chronic lifestyle diseases including obesity, hypercholesterolemia and lipid profiles, and diabetes.

Both the leaders have joined hands to launch Optibiotix’s Slimbiome® weight management technology in India. Zeon’s expertise to manufacture with purity and precision along with Optibiotix’s patented technology is opening new paths for the Indian obesity market. According to National family health survey India-3 (NFHS-3), thirteen percent of women (15-49 Years) and nine percent of men (15-49 Years) were overweight or obese in 2005-06. This number has increased over the past decade. Taking it as a leading concern, Zeon will now offer a solution to the 29.8million obese people of India. With the leadership of visionary Mr Suresh Garg, Zeon has again proved its strong ability to undertake and deliver novel research.

British company Optibiotix has signed an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement with Indian Healthcare company Zeon for the use of OptiBiotix’s science-based weight management technology, SlimBiome®. This partnership was facilitated by the Department for International Trade, and the Rt. Hon Mark Field Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office was present at the official signing ceremony held on March 2 at St Regis in Mumbai on 2nd March.

The Rt Hon Mark Field MP, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at FCO acknowledged this positive example of UK-India collaboration in the field of Lifesciences, saying, “I am delighted to be here and fascinated to hear about the work of OptiBiotix Health PLC & Zeon Lifesciences Ltd. This collaboration between OptiBiotix and Zeon is a really exciting start. We hope it will pave the way for real advances in the way to prevent and manage chronic lifestyle ailments like diabetes and obesity.”

OptiBiotix’s CEO, Stephen O’Hara, highlighted the untapped opportunities in India which are available to UK companies, “Our rapid expansion into India through this partnership with Zeon demonstrates the kinds of opportunities that are available to UK industry here. We believe that our partnership with Zeon is an important step in facilitating the needs of existing and new corporate partners in India and Southern Asia and anticipate further announcements in due course."

Many parts of India have faced cases of malnutrition and this fast-developing economy is now also battling rising obesity. Access to unhealthy and processed foods has grown following India's increased integration into global food markets. Rising middle class incomes have also contributed to increasing the average caloric intake per individual among the middle class and above income households. According to the National Family Health Survey, the number of obese people in India has doubled over the past ten years. In addition, India reported 72 million cases of diabetes in 2017 , and an estimated 122,700 men aged 30 and above die from diabetes in India every year. Zeon is India’s leading manufacturer of nutraceutical and herbal products with expertise in developing custom formulations for the food, herbal, and pharmaceutical industries.

The company's customers have included French food giant Danone as well as multinational Indian pharma firm Sun Pharmaceutical.Following the confirmation of the deal, Zeon now has a license to manufacture and supply SlimBiome® across India in return for a 50% profit share.

SlimBiome®, which was granted CE mark approval as a medical device in 2018, actively helps people to consistently manage their weight loss by reducing their food intake while at the same time reducing food cravings.

Independent clinical studies at a number of universities have shown that, when compared to a control group, people who took SlimBiome® :
• Feel fuller and are less hungry.
• Experience fewer food cravings.
• Change their food choice to eat less sweet and fatty foods.