AB-Biotics and Lacer Pharma sign licensing agreement on cholesterol-lowering probiotic
AB-Life reduces cholesterol levels between 14% and 18%, according to clinical studies performed by Hospital Puerta del Hierro in Madrid
Spanish biotechnology firm AB-Biotics has signed an agreement with Lacer Pharma for the exclusive pharma distribution rights of its cholesterol-lowering probiotic AB-Life in Spain and Andorra. The agreement, which can be renewed after the initial ten-year period, also affords Lacer Farma the right to a preferential option in three other countries in the European Union, only for the pharma sector. AB-Biotics reserves commercialization rights for itself or potential third parties in the food sector, where this probiotic can be added to products without thermal treatment like dairy products or, using encapsulation techniques, to beverages and juices.
"We're now looking for other pharma and food companies interested in licensing AB-Life for other markets", explained Miquel Àngel Bonachera and Sergi Audivert, cofounders and CEOs of AB-Biotics. The biotech firm's licensing strategy for AB-Life is based on negotiations with companies that have the best positioning in the cardiovascular market in each country, as it is the case of Lacer Pharma in Spain.
About AB-LIFE
AB-Life is a nutritional ingredient that reduces cholesterol levels between 14% and 18%, according to clinical studies performed by Hospital Puerta del Hierro in Madrid. The AB-Life formula, worldwide patented by AB-Biotics, is made up of three strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, which can reduce cholesterol in two ways: first, by capturing and immobilizing dietary cholesterol in its membrane, and second, by hastening metabolism of bile salts and forcing the liver to capture blood cholesterol in order to synthesize new salts. This is of particular interest as between 60% and 70% of blood cholesterol isn't from dietary cholesterol, which is why products that focus on reducing cholesterol from the diet may not be effective in all patients.
The effectiveness of AB-LIFE was recorded during a clinical study conducted by Hospital Puerta del Hierro in Madrid, in which 60 volunteers aged between 18 and 65 with total serum cholesterol levels of over 200 mg/dl took part. The volunteers participating in the clinical trial who received one capsule of AB-LIFE every day for 12 weeks, showed a decrease in total cholesterol levels of 14% on average. Furthermore, an extremely important reduction in LDL cholesterol of 14.3% was observed, with a tendency to be statistically significant. This is equivalent to a reduction in cardiovascular risk of more than 28%.
About AB-BIOTICS
AB-BIOTICS is a Spanish biotechnology company focusen on research, development, protection and distribution of its own exclusive biotechnological solutions. Since 2010, the company os listed in the Alternative Investment Market (MAB, in Spanish). AB-BIOTICS is preparing a capital increase to start up their international expansion plan, in order to reinforce their commercial activity and have a direct presence in high-potential countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Turkey, Mexico and Brazil.
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Nuria Peláez
Chief communications officer
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