OptiBiotix Health (LSE:OPTI) has reported progress in the development of its SweetBiotix range of sweet fibres, including validation of a new manufacturing process and preparations for commercial-scale production.
SweetBiotix is being developed as a portfolio of sugar substitutes designed to provide sweetness while also functioning as fibres that support gut health.
The company is targeting potential applications across the food, beverage and confectionery industries.
New Manufacturing Process Validated
OptiBiotix said it has validated a new enzyme-based manufacturing process for SweetBiotix that provides higher yields and lower production costs than its previous approach.
According to the company, the process also produces a cleaner-tasting product.
Independent testing has identified a sweet fibre approximately 100 times sweeter than sugar, OptiBiotix said. The company described the structure of the fibre as unique and said this provides an opportunity for intellectual property protection.
SweetBiotix Samples Sent to Food and Beverage Companies
OptiBiotix has begun supplying laboratory-scale samples of SweetBiotix to major food and beverage brands for evaluation.
The company has also negotiated manufacturing agreements with three producers as it prepares to move the technology towards larger-scale production.
OptiBiotix is targeting the production of initial commercial-scale samples around the end of 2026. The timing remains a company target and commercial adoption will depend on subsequent development and customer decisions.
Company Targets Sugar Reduction Applications
SweetBiotix forms part of OptiBiotix’s portfolio of microbiome-focused technologies and is intended for applications where manufacturers are seeking alternatives to conventional sugar.
The company is developing the product for potential use in food, beverages and confectionery, with its combination of sweetness and fibre content forming the basis of its proposed commercial applications.
The current programme is focused on progressing from laboratory-scale samples to commercial-scale manufacturing.
More about OptiBiotix Health plc
OptiBiotix Health plc is a UK-listed life sciences company developing products and ingredients focused on the human microbiome.
Its portfolio includes SlimBiome, WellBiome and SweetBiotix, alongside other prebiotic, probiotic and microbiome-related products.
The company’s products target applications including weight management, gut health and sugar reduction, while affiliated businesses also operate in probiotic and skincare markets.
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