York-based life sciences firm Optibiotix Health, which develops compounds to tackle obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, has agreed a deal which will see one of its products used in cardiovascular food supplements in Japan.

The firm’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ProBiotix Health, will enter a non-exclusive license deal with Japanese company Tenshindo Co for the use of the Lactobacillus plantarum strain (LPLDL®).

Tenshindo develops functional food and cosmetics products, and was established in Japan in 1986.

Tenshindo and ProBiotix will now collaborate in order to receive an authorised cardiovascular health claim for the LPLDL® strain from Japanese authorities, using existing clinical and market evidence.

The deal is the first end product application in Japan to be facilitated by local distributor EIWA Trading Corporation, which agreed to distribute LPLDL® in the country for ProBiotix in February.

The strain is key part of the Yorkshire company’s strategy as it aims to place LPLDL® in a range of cardiovascular health supplements, as well as in food, dairy, and beverage products across the world.

Dr Luis Gosalbez, Business Development Director of OptiBiotix, said: “We are pleased to announce this deal with Tenshindo, which will mean our first LPLDL® finished product placement on the Japanese market.

“Obtaining an authorised cardiovascular health claim for LPLDL® from Japanese authorities will not only be highly advantageous from the commercial point of view, but also an important endorsement for ProBiotix’s science.

“Tenshindo, with over 30 years of experience in this market, are an excellent commercial and regulatory partner to make the most of this opportunity.”