Exclusive: Newly-Listed Biomerica's CEO Talks IBS, Tech And Patient Care

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, which it is commonly referred to as, plagues over 15 percent of the U.S. population. IBS patients typically visit the doctor three times more than a normal patient, and healthcare costs associated with the disease are estimated to be in the $30 billion range. It remains a worldwide issue.

Biomerica, Inc. BMRA, an Irvine-based biomedical company, is taking steps to radically change the way IBS is treated with its new proprietary technology and lower healthcare costs associated with the disease. Biomerica was just uplisted to the NASDAQ exchange last Friday.

IBS is commonly treated through altering the patient's diet to avoid foods that may exacerbate symptoms. Biomerica's new technology is taking treatment a step further, currently testing a product called InFoods that can test what specific foods are causing symptoms of IBS.

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How Does It Work?

"A patient walks into a doctor's office, gets a small finger prick. Fifteen minutes later, a test comes out that tells them which foods to eliminate to IBS patients," said Biomerica CEO Zachary Irani.

Once IBS patients can eliminate trigger foods, their symptoms generally subside. What makes Biomerica's technology different is that it is testing for specific foods and not just food groups.

"For most IBS patients, once they eliminate trigger foods, their symptoms will go away and they are not on this diet for life. They are just eliminating foods that are problematic for them," said Irani.

Not only does this new technology aim to relieve symptoms for the patient, it can also substantially reduce healthcare costs. Currently, there are no drugs on the market to help patients suffering from IBS.

"As soon as we come to an agreement with the FDA, we will initiate clinical trials, which will take one year, and then the FDA submission will take four to five months. I think we have a very good opportunity to get approval," added Irani.

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