2024 Research Update

Achieving Cures Together is on a mission to save lives by restoring microbial health. Our partners at the University of Minnesota Microbiota Therapeutics Program supply microbiota transplant therapeutics to academic partners around the country, working to alleviate suffering and extend the quality of life of patients. Hear directly from our research partners the impact being made in across the health spectrum.

James Adams, Ph.D. & Khemlal Nirmalkar, Ph.D.

Arizona State University

Autism & Pitt Hopkins Disease

“Our newest research we’ve done shows that now over 90% of children with autism have high levels of metabolites that are toxic… and come from bacteria in yeast. One example, para-cresol, in 17 studies, every study showing it’s elevated in Autism. We know it’s toxic in many ways. We discovered it’s not just para-cresol but many, many other bacteria and yeast metabolites that have similar effects. What’s exciting is that the only study we know of on how to decrease para-cresol was our first microbiota transplant study showing we were able to decrease it down to normal. We were also able to greatly improve GI symptoms.”

Amanda Kabage

University of Minnesota

Microbiota Therapeutics Program Research Program Manager & Regulatory Specialist

A parent of a 14-year-old Autism patient shared, “She’s a totally different kid, her improvement is off the charts. She is off almost all of her prescription medications… She is significantly more flexible, pleasant, balanced and present. I would love to see what her microbiome looks like once you get that data. This is just a miracle and our family couldn’t be more grateful.”

Armin Rashidi, M.D., Ph.D.

Fred Hutchison Cancer Center

Graft Versus Host Disease

“In this first trial, which is now published in four papers, we showed that FMT was safe in arguably the most immunocompromised, fragile patient population in medicine… FMT modulated the microbiome with effects that … have been shown to be associated with better outcomes, particularly better engraftment seems to protect against acute GVHD. [The]second trial, which we are several months through is that by increasing the dose of FMT and by selecting the best stool donor we might be able to better prevent GVHD.”

Noah Goldfarb, M.D.

University of Minnesota

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

“Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a relatively common auto-inflammatory skin condition with devastating effects on quality of life and limited treatment options. HS involves skin and gut microbial dysbiosis that may be drivers of [the] disease. Research is underway to evaluate whether Microbiota Transplant Therapy will be an effective therapy for HS. We’ve had a few patients finish treatment and early results are very exciting.”