Innovative biotech firm Rebiotix snapped up by Swiss drugmaker

Privately-held Swiss firm Ferring Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday closed a deal toacquire USA-based Rebiotix, a development-stage biotechnology company focusing on the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases by developing human microbiome.

This acquisition, financial terms of which are not disclosed, brings together two innovative healthcare companies that share a common commitment to exploring and understanding the human microbiome to develop new solutions for patients, noted Ferring.

The most advanced investigational microbiome treatment from Rebiotix is RBX2660, a non-antibiotic treatment currently in Phase III development for the prevention of recurrent clostridium difficile (CDI). RBX2660 has the potential to be the first human microbiome product approved anywhere in the world. In the USA, RBX2660 has received Food and Drug Administration Fast Track, Breakthrough Therapy and Orphan Drug designations, which means the FDA considers it eligible for Expedited Review, once the submission has been made.