Investors

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer for OptiBiotix prebiotic division

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), a life sciences business developing compounds to tackle obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes and skin care, announces the appointment of René Kamminga ("René") as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of OptiBiotix Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of OptiBiotix Health plc. OptiBiotix Ltd contains OptiBiotix's SlimBiome®, SweetBiotix®, and microbiome modulating technology platforms. The intention is for René to join the OptiBiotix Health plc Board subject to completion of normal regulatory due diligence.

The Company also announces the change of role of Dr Fred Narbel who will move from his position as Director on the OptiBiotix Board and Managing Director of the functional fibres division within OptiBiotix Ltd to a more strategic role as Non-Executive Director of OptiBiotix Ltd.

René has more than 25 years' experience in the sale of speciality ingredients and products and joins from the position of Vice President of Business Development and Chief Commercial Officer of the Nutraceuticals division of KD Pharma Group ("KD Pharma"). KD Pharma sell high purity Omega-3 APIs and concentrates to both the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries and has rapidly become one of the world's largest Omega-3 and fish oil refiners and suppliers in the world.  Its nutraceutical division, KD Nutra, provides final product Omega-3 solutions. As Chief Commercial Officer, René was integral in developing and delivering on a strategy of moving the business from bulk ingredients to finished product solutions. Prior to joining KD Pharma, René was President of Kerry Groups Texturants division with full P&L responsibility for its speciality ingredient business in Europe. Prior to this he worked in business director roles for Quest and Uniqema, subsidiaries of Unilever and ICI.

René brings experience of developing a business from selling bulk ingredients to finished product and a wealth of industry contacts in both the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. René has a strong track record of rapidly growing sales and has been involved in a number of acquisitions in support of accelerating business growth.

René is multilingual in English, Dutch, French and German. His experience of speciality food ingredients and high value final product solutions will help drive the commercialisation of OptiBiotix's growing pipeline of products across its SlimBiome®, WellBiome®, and its second generation SweetBiotix®, and microbiome modulating technology platforms.

René's appointment is part of the continued evolution of the Board and management team in line with the Company's strategic focus (RNS: 24 September 2020) on commercialising final products solutions and second generation products (microbiome modulators, SweetBiotix®, and drug biotherapeutics).

Stephen O'Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, commented: "René's experience and track record of growing sales and his network of new industry contacts within pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, will help OptiBiotix in its next phase of evolution.  Having established international sales and brand awareness of its award winning SlimBiome® and LP_LDL® ingredients, the Company looks to extend the range of applications containing these ingredients and commercialise its second generation SweetBiotix®, microbiome modulating, and LP_LDL® drug products.

"I would like to thank Fred for his contribution in building the sales of the first generation of products, expanding the Company's network of production partners around the world, commercial launches of products containing SlimBiome® with retailers in numerous countries and contribution in setting-up the functional fibres' quality system. The Board looks forward to his continued support in his new role as NED."

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

 

For further information, please contact:

OptiBiotix Health plc		www.optibiotix.com
Neil Davidson, Chairman	Contact via Walbrook below
Stephen O'Hara, Chief Executive
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (NOMAD)		Tel: 020 7213 0880
Liam Murray / Jo Turner / Ludovico Lazzaretti
Cenkos Securities plc (Broker)		Tel: 020 7397 8900
Callum Davidson / Neil McDonald
Michael Johnson / Russell Kerr (Sales)
Walbrook PR Ltd		Mob: 07876 741 001
Anna Dunphy

 

About OptiBiotix - www.optibiotix.com 

OptiBiotix Health plc (AIM: OPTI), which was formed in March 2012, brings science to the development of compounds which modify the human microbiome - the collective genome of the microbes in the body - in order to prevent and manage human disease and promote wellness.

OptiBiotix has an extensive R&D programme working with leading academics in the development of microbial strains, compounds, and formulations which are used as active ingredients and supplements. More than twenty international food and healthcare supplement companies have signed agreements with OptiBiotix to incorporate their human microbiome modulators into a wide range of food products and drinks.

OptiBiotix is also developing its own range of consumer supplements and health products. The Company's current areas of focus include obesity, cardiovascular health, and diabetes.