IBSchek Is Based on Life-Changing Medical Research

Craig Strasnick, president and CEO of Commonwealth Diagnostics International, founded the Massachusetts-based company with his father, Dr. Brian Strasnick, in 2015. He previously served as chief operating officer of the related company Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. Craig Strasnick and his team continue to lead in the field of gastroenterological diagnostic services, in collaboration with a range of top-flight academic researchers and other businesses.

Among CDI’s recent innovations is the IBSchek system. This blood test assists doctors in the efficient and accurate diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and is based on pioneering work produced at the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Cedars’ GI Motility Program focuses on research into causes and treatments of common digestive tract problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, incontinence, and constipation. The program can offer patients and physicians a set of diagnostic and treatment options unsurpassed anywhere in the world. 

IBSchek represents a breakthrough in the GI medicine field. In the past, some physicians had considered IBS not an organic problem, but an emotional one. And this most frequent of GI conditions, which affects as many as 15 out of 100 American adults, was previously impossible to definitively diagnose. After eight years of research, the GI Motility Program determined that the most common toxin involved in food poisoning appeared to be the culprit in IBS as well, leading to the development of IBSchek.

Craig Strasnick

Craig Strasnick, Entrepreneur

Craig Strasnick Interview - IBSChek

Craig Strasnick, Former COO of Commonwealth Laboratories

Craig Strasnick's Office

ABTA’s Brain Tumor Support Group Facilitator Training Program

Commonwealth Diagnostics International president and CEO, Craig Strasnick, founded the company in 2015 and leads its efforts to develop diagnostic tools for functional gastrointestinal conditions. Beyond his responsibilities to the Massachusetts-based company, Craig Strasnick supports the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). ABTA’s resources for health professionals include the Brain Tumor Support Group Facilitator Training Program. 

The newly launched training program enables caregivers and healthcare providers to meet the needs and challenges unique to patients with brain tumors through specialized training and resources. A reflection of ABTA’s commitment to partnering with health care professionals and volunteers nationwide, the program ensures the availability of supportive services and resources for brain tumor treatment and care. 

A team of highly-credentialed authorities lent their skills to the program’s development by choosing to focus on evidence-based practices. Training is delivered through an online platform that separates content into four courses that focus on treatment side effects, neuropsychological issues, coping strategies for caregivers, and the basics of organizing and facilitating brain tumor support groups. 

Offered at no charge, the course also provides continuing educational units for health professionals with a clinical background.

Craig Strasnick

Craig S. Strasnick serves as President and CEO of CDI, which he co-founded in 2015. Craig partners with respected academics and industry leaders across the globe to enhance current gastroenterological practices, focusing particularly on diagnostic tools for functional gastrointestinal conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), and nutritional intolerances. Craig strives to achieve the company’s mission by developing and introducing new patient-friendly preventative health and monitoring technologies that not only assist in enhancing the quality of life of patients, but also create cost-effective solutions and value-added services for the healthcare system overall. Craig currently serves as a member of the board of directors for AlphaLogic, Inc., a company that specializes in the development and commercialization of convenient, low-cost, wearable sensory systems that can be utilized in hospitals, clinics, or at home for the diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of digestive wellness. Craig also serves on the board of directors for MyTotalHealth, Inc., a healthcare technology company that was founded to empower patients to monitor, manage, and understand their symptoms for a range of conditions, both within the field of gastroenterology, as well as in other areas of medicine.

Craig Strasnick founded Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. in 2011, and as COO, he built the company over a six-year period from a two-employee operation to a thriving business operating across the US and Canada, with over 100 employees. In August of 2015, Craig secured the acquisition of Commonwealth and continued to serve as the company’s COO until 2016.

He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University’s Management and Entrepreneurship Program. Most recently, Craig was accepted to The University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he will be pursuing his Masters of Business Administration beginning in 2017.

Craig Strasnick is a regular supporter of and contributor to a number of organizations, including Temple Emanu-El, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Brain Tumor Association, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. In addition, he holds active memberships with the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Neurogastroenterology & Motility Society, and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

John Elway - Career Highlights

Craig Strasnick

As the president and CEO of Commonwealth Diagnostics International in Salem, Massachusetts, Craig Strasnick is responsible for the day to day operations of the company. Craig Strasnick has attended two Super Bowls, and one of them was John Elway’s last game.

Born in 1960, John Elway was a star quarterback in high school, and he went on to set NCAA records at Stanford and was a runner-up for the Heisman trophy. In his sixteen year career with the Denver Broncos, he made five Super Bowl appearances and won two Super Bowls. In fact, his second Super Bowl victory was the last game of his career, and he was named the game’s MVP.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004, he was the NFL’s MVP in 1987. Elway’s career passing yardage of 51,475 is the second highest in NFL history. Since retirement, he was named the Bronco’s executive vice president of football operations in 2011. He later became the team’s general manager, and the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 under his guidance.

Craig Strasnick

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Craig Strasnick, Entrepreneur

Craig Strasnick, chief operating officer (COO) of Commonwealth Laboratories

Craig Strasnick

Craig Strasnick - Office

Craig Strasnick, CEO of Commonwealth Diagnostics International

Craig Strasnick at the Office

Craig Strasnick

Craig Strasnick

Craig Strasnick - Salem, Massachusetts, Northeastern University

Craig Strasnick

Craig Strasnick, Commonwealth Diagnostics International

Commonwealth Diagnostics International

Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. Announces Agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals for the Acquisition of Commonwealth’s U.S. and Canadian Business

Craig Strasnick

SALEM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. (“Commonwealth”) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (“Valeant”) for the acquisition by Valeant of Commonwealth’s business in the United States (U.S.) and Canada. This includes rights to IBSchek™, a breakthrough blood test designed to help physicians quickly and reliably diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Commonwealth’s existing management team will remain in place and will continue to drive the strategic direction of the company. The deal provides for an up-front purchase price to be paid by Valeant on closing, with the opportunity for additional sales-based milestones payments. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Commonwealth’s current diagnostic portfolio will be offered outside of the U.S. and Canada by Commonwealth Diagnostics International, Inc., an unaffiliated company formed by Commonwealth’s current owners.

“We are excited to align with Valeant. This partnership allows Commonwealth to effectively scale our product line, including our ground-breaking new blood test for irritable bowel syndrome, IBSchek, utilizing Valeant’s vast resources and industry experience,” said Craig Strasnick, Chief Operating Officer at Commonwealth. “We truly believe this move will be a driving force in helping the millions of Americans and Canadians affected by irritable bowel syndrome and other disorders within gastrointestinal (GI), as well as additional medical disciplines, as we continue to expand upon our portfolio. This path forward gives Commonwealth the ability to grow the business on an accelerated trajectory. It is an exciting time for our company and we look forward to, what we know, will be a very bright future.”

Commonwealth has most recently developed IBSchek, a test that uniquely addresses the needs of IBS patients suffering with GI discomfort by either confirming an IBS diagnosis, or potentially eliminating it as a cause of symptoms. IBSchek is a simple ELISA based test that can be conducted via standard blood draw in a healthcare provider’s office. Results are reported within 24 hours of the patient’s blood specimen being received by Commonwealth for analysis. Commonwealth launched IBSchek in May of 2015 during Digestive Disease Week. More information on IBSchek can be found at http://www.IBSchek.com.

IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in the U.S., affecting nearly 40 million Americans and an estimated 5 million Canadians. IBS affects approximately 15% of the world’s total population. It is more common in women than in men and the symptoms can be very difficult to diagnose.

Additional resources, including company and IBSchek product logos, an infographic and a video of how IBSchek works, can be found in our Digital Newsroom.

About Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc.

Headquartered in Salem, Massachusetts, Commonwealth Laboratories, Inc. is a state and federally licensed, FDA-registered, independent diagnostic laboratory offering specialized diagnostic tests to aid in the diagnosis of a variety of functional gastrointestinal disorders. The company executes a service-based approach and its core philosophy is to create customized operational solutions aimed at accessibility and simplicity in diagnostics. Commonwealth’s scalable, efficient and clinically sophisticated platform provides the resources healthcare providers need to quickly and accurately make an informed diagnosis for their patients.

For more information about IBSchek™, please call (877) IBS-CHEK (427-2435) or visit http://www.IBSchek.com. For information regarding any other services provided by Commonwealth, please call (800) 292-9019, visit www.hydrogenbreathtesting.com, or email inquiries@commlabsinc.com.

About IBSchek™

IBSchek™ is based on the scientific findings of Mark Pimentel, MD, which showed that anti-vinculin and anti-CdtB are effective biomarkers for the diagnosis of IBS. The test utilizes a proprietary, ELISA-based blood test, providing results within 24 hours of sample receipt at Commonwealth. Its turnkey approach is office-friendly and assists in providing the healthcare provider with the objective data they need to make an informed diagnosis, while also providing validation for the symptoms and associated discomfort that patients have been experiencing for extensive periods of time.

About IBS

IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder in which symptoms are due to dysfunction of the gut. There are three different types of IBS, with an equal number of people in each category: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), and IBS with alternating constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M). The symptoms associated with IBS-C include stomach pain and discomfort, bloating, abnormally delayed or infrequent bowel movement, or lumpy/hard stool. The symptoms associated with IBS-D include stomach pain and discomfort, an urgent need to move your bowels, abnormally frequent bowel movements, or loose/watery stool.

IBS is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in the U.S., affecting approximately 40 million Americans. It is estimated that at least 5 million Canadians suffer from IBS, with an additional 120,000 people developing the condition every year. IBS affects about twice as many women as men and is most often found in people younger than age 45.

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