Axial biotherapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company developing new therapeutics to treat diseases of the central nervous system. According to Dr. David Donabedian, CEO, and co-founder, researchers hope to leverage the link between the human gut microbiome and central nervous system including Autism and Parkinson’s Disease. While there are many factors that have contributed to an increase in the number of children with symptoms of autism, Dr. Donabedian suggests that environmental factors may have caused changes in the diversity of bacteria that children are exposed to. Therefore, Axial has taken a unique approach by focusing on the gut-brain axis. Initial testing at Axial has shown that gut-selective therapies have resulted in improvements in core behaviors and symptoms associated with autism as well as reducing symptoms due to gastrointestinal disorders.