From gut microbiome to better health-FMT opens new possibilities 

Can you shed some light on what Resplice Institute is about? How did Resplice Institute’s journey start? 

Resplice Autism Research Foundation and Institute was founded by me, following a deeply personal experience with my child. 

My child had autism along with severe gastrointestinal problems, allergies and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. When conventional treatment options did not provide adequate relief, I explored Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT). Following FMT, there was significant improvement in the gastrointestinal problems, allergies and nephrotic syndrome, along with unexpected improvements in certain neurodevelopmental symptoms. 

This experience led me to investigate the science behind the gut microbiome and its potential influence on human health. In 2022, he registered a clinical trial with the ICMR to investigate FMT in autism scientifically. 

Today, Resplice’s vision extends beyond treatment. We are working to understand whether microbiome- and epigenetics-targeted interventions could play a role in autism prevention and preventive healthcare, using multi-omics approaches in collaboration with scientists and researchers. 

What is FMT, and how does it work? 

FMT stands for faecal microbiota transplantation. It involves transferring a carefully screened and processed microbiota preparation from a healthy donor to the gastrointestinal tract of another individual. 

The gut microbiome interacts extensively with the immune, metabolic, endocrine and nervous systems. Gut microbes and their metabolites can influence immune signalling, neurotransmitter pathways and host biology, including epigenetic mechanisms. 

In conditions such as autism, disturbances in the gut microbiome have been reported, although the relationship is complex and still being investigated. Our experience and emerging research suggest that microbiome-based interventions may help address some gastrointestinal and other associated problems. 

Importantly, FMT should not currently be presented as a cure for autism. Its potential role in improving specific comorbidities and symptoms requires further rigorous clinical research. 

Is FMT an approved form of treatment in India? Is the research still ongoing? 

FMT has established clinical use, particularly for recurrent or refractory Clostridioides difficile infection, and microbiome-based therapies are also being investigated and used in selected gastrointestinal conditions under appropriate medical supervision. 

Research into FMT and microbiome therapeutics is rapidly expanding across several areas, including inflammatory bowel disease, autism, neurological disorders, cancer and psychiatric conditions. However, the level of evidence varies considerably between these conditions. 

At Resplice, we believe promising mechanistic and preliminary clinical findings must be followed by well-designed clinical trials before broader clinical adoption. 

Is FMT a relatively new treatment? Many doctors may not be aware of it. How do you plan to educate doctors? 

FMT itself is not new. Historical accounts describe the therapeutic use of faecal preparations in traditional Chinese medicine centuries ago. Modern medicine has transformed the concept into a scientifically investigated procedure involving donor screening, microbiological testing and controlled administration. 

Awareness among gastroenterologists has increased substantially, but microbiome science remains relatively new across many other medical specialities. 

We have launched the “Save Microbiome, Save Health” campaign to raise awareness among doctors, healthcare professionals, and the public about the importance of the gut microbiome and the emerging science of microbiome-based medicine. 

What disorders can potentially be treated using FMT, and how can it benefit patients? 

The strongest established indication is recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. FMT and microbiome-based therapies are also being studied extensively in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative colitis. 

There is emerging research in areas including autism, neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, cancer and psychiatric disorders, among others. 

However, the evidence is not equally strong for all these conditions. Our objective is to distinguish established indications from promising research areas and generate high-quality clinical evidence wherever the science warrants further investigation. 

How many sessions does a person need to be completely treated? 

There is no universally established number of FMT sessions that can be described as a “complete treatment,” particularly for conditions such as autism where FMT remains investigational. 

How do you propose to popularise this treatment so that patients across the globe can benefit?

Our approach is to let science lead. 

First, we need to educate healthcare professionals and the public about the microbiome. Second, we need to evaluate existing clinical evidence critically. 

Third, we need to conduct well-designed clinical trials and publish results transparently in peer-reviewed scientific journals. If microbiome-based interventions demonstrate safety and efficacy through rigorous research, they can eventually become part of mainstream healthcare. 

What are the major challenges you are currently facing? 

One major challenge is that FMT is fundamentally different from conventional pharmaceutical products. It involves a complex biological ecosystem rather than a single molecule, making standardisation, quality control, donor screening and scalability challenging. 

Limited commercial incentive in some areas of microbiome research can also slow the pace of clinical development. 

Our focus is therefore on building scientific evidence, collaborating with researchers, and making microbiome-based approaches accessible to patients who may benefit, while maintaining appropriate safety standards and clinical governance.