City briefs: OptiBiotix Health and Avacta
York-based life sciences business, OptiBiotix Health, has struck an exclusive supply agreement with pharmacy chain Nahdi Medical Co for its GoFigure and SlimBiome® Medical weight management product range in Saudi Arabia.
Nahdi owns the largest pharmacy network in Saudi Arabia, with over 1,100 pharmacy outlets countrywide.
Its online platform, Nahdi Online, is one of the leading e-commerce pharmacy player across the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. (GCC)
The in-store launch of OptiBiotix’s products is planned for half one 2022 and its goods will progressively expand into Nadhi’s pharmacy network and its online platform.
The launch will initially include seven products. These encompass OptiBiotix’s direct-to-consumer own brands Gofigure® and SlimBiome® range of weight management products.
The initial range will combine meal replacement shakes, bars and sachet options and once successful, will be expanded with additional product offerings.
As part of the launch, the OptiBiotix products will be registered with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
This is of strategic importance to Nahdi and OptiBiotix, as it facilitates the registration processes in the other GCC countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Obesity is an area of urgent concern in Saudi Arabia, as it is seen as one of the key health challenges for Saudis resulting in wider implications to the economy.
René Kamminga, CEO of OptiBiotix, said: “We are very pleased to announce this sales and distribution agreement with Nahdi Medical.
“Our SlimBiome® Medical and GoFigure® range of weight management products have been specifically formulated to support consumers aiming to reduce their weight, help them stick to their change in diet and improve their gut microbiome at the same time.
“We are very pleased that Nahdi selected our science-backed differentiated range of products as the primary choice to offer its consumers to help address rising rates of obesity.
“This is the third agreement with a large partner in as many weeks, each with similar revenue potential which we believe will make a significant contribution to OptiBiotix’s growing revenue in the years ahead.”
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Biotech business Avacta has confirmed its AffiDX® antigen lateral flow test has been shown to detect the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical samples.
The Omicron variant, with more than 35 mutations of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, first appeared in South Africa a few weeks ago and was designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 26 November 2021.
Since then, the UK has reported over 3,000 cases of this more infectious variant of the virus.
Wetherby-based Avacta says its AffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test has been evaluated at the Carlos III Hospital in Madrid, using a small number of actual patient samples confirmed to be Omicron variant positive.
The results indicate the test detects the new Omicron variant in addition to all previously identified new variants of concern.
Dr Alastair Smith, chief executive officer of Avacta, said: “We are delighted to confirm the AffiDX® SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test detects the Omicron variant.
“As this variant is more infectious, it is important it can be detected in individuals with higher loads using lateral flow tests so its spread can be slowed down.
“We are progressing with our application to put the AffiDx product on the market in the UK, as well as continuing to pursue commercial opportunities in Europe and further afield for the professional-use test.
“We also continue to work with our partners, Medusa 19 Healthcare, to obtain the CE mark for consumer self-testing for the product which is a critical next step in the commercialisation of the product.”
