DTMT Network
British company OptiBiotix has signed an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement with Indian Healthcare Company Zeon Lifesciences Ltd for the use of OptiBiotix's science-based weight management technology, SlimBiome®. This partnership was facilitated by the Department for International Trade.

Mr. 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, 2019, at St Regis in Mumbai.

Mr Mark Field, MP, said ''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.''

Zeon's MD, Mr. Suresh Garg, expressed his views stating: "The strategic partnership will bring the synergetic benefits of knowledge and technical expertise of OptiBiotix and R&D & production capabilities of Zeon to 29.8 million obese people in India''.

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 first global leader in nutraceutical and herbal products manufacturing with expertise in developing custom formulations for the food, herbal, and pharmaceutical industries with the help of its Research & Formulation Development.

Zeon with 30 + years of experience along with a clientele of many renowned MNCs like Danon, Herbalife and GNC USA etc., has launched 150 + formulations in all leading health segments including general health and wellness, medical nutrition, personalized nutrition, weight management and sports nutrition in four delivery formats - Tablets, Capsules, Syrups, Compounds & Formulations for use in food ingredients, supplements and active compounds.

Following the confirmation of the deal, Zeon now has a license to manufacture and supply SlimBiome® across India. 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®2 feel fuller and are less hungry, experience fewer food cravings and change their food choice to eat less sweet and fatty foods.