(Sharecast News) - Life sciences company OptiBiotix Health announced the launch of meal replacement shakes and bars containing its 'OptiBiome' proprietary weight management technology under the 'Optislim' brand with the Woolworths and Chemist Warehouse retailers, and online, in Australia and New Zealand.

The AIM-traded firm said the simultaneous launches built on a licence agreement entered into in March, which granted OptiPharm exclusive use of the OptiBiome trademark in Australia, parts of Asia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the Gulf States and North America, with an extension of terms in August to include Europe.

It described OptiPharm as a privately-owned Australian company, which has been operating for 24 years.

Its flagship brand , 'Optislim', is the top Australian weight management brand incorporating shakes, soups and bars available as total and partial meal replacements.

"We are very pleased to announce the commercial launch of these weight management products containing OptiBiome under OptiPharm's Optislim brand," said Dr Fred Narbel, managing director of OptiBiotix's prebiotics division.

"OptiBiotix's partnership with Australia's No. 1 weight management brand combined with the retailers' distribution network allows the company to access a wide base of customers in Australia and New Zealand and provide them with a scientifically proven and award-winning ingredient to help them achieve their weight loss.

"This first commercial step with OptiPharm highlights the strength of the relationship between the two companies and we look forward to future commercial launches beyond Australia and New Zealand."

At 1356 BST, shares in OptiBiotix Health were down 0.66% at 59.11p.