Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai Medical Center researcher Mark Pimentel, MD, partnered with Salix Pharmaceuticals to continue researching gut microbiome-based treatments, the Los Angeles Business Journal reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. Dr. Pimentel notably discovered the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, Xifaxan. Since Xifaxan gained FDA approval, Cedars-Sinai has earned $47.5 million in royalties from Xifaxan sales.
2. Salix will have the option to acquire any of Dr. Pimentel's discoveries as a result of the partnership, starting in the third quarter of 2018.
3. Dr. Pimentel made several other discoveries, including a breath test that detects gut gases linked to gastrointestinal diseases and a blood test for diagnosing digestive diseases.
4. Dr. Pimentel prepared remarks for the Los Angeles Business Journal: "My philosophy is to treat these microorganisms, in other words, find the right drug to treat the bug. Through this research agreement with Salix, we look to continue to harness the potential of the microbiome in the treatment of GI disorders."