Development of fecal microbiota transplantation suitable for mainstream medicine

Fecal microbiota transplantation has emerged as an increasingly common treatment for patients with refractory Clostridium difficile infection. Although it can be relatively simple to perform, a number of challenges need to be overcome before this procedure is widely accepted in mainstream clinical practice. Most of the solutions to these challenges already exist, but some need further optimization and testing. Standardized fecal microbiota is being developed as a therapeutic agent, although it clearly challenges some of the existing paradigms of drug development, delivery, and regulation.