Editing Roderick MacKinnon (section)

==Business activities==
MacKinnon is co-inventor with his friend and scientific collaborator, neurobiologist Bruce Bean of [[Harvard Medical School]], of a [[dietary supplement]] for treating and preventing muscle cramps; they tested it in clinical trials and are co-founders a company to commercialize their invention, Flex Pharma.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Scientific Solution to (Finally) Stop Muscle Cramps|url=http://www.outsideonline.com/2007171/scientific-solution-muscle-cramps|access-date=20 July 2016|publisher=Outside|date=1 September 2015}}</ref> [[Christoph Westphal]] and Jennifer Cermak were co-founders as well.<ref name=XconomyFlexFounding>{{cite news|last1=Fidler|first1=Ben|title=To Fight Cramps, Christoph Westphal Taps Boston All-Stars for $40M|url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2014/09/09/to-fight-cramps-christoph-westphal-taps-boston-all-stars-for-40m/|work=Xconomy|date=9 September 2014}}</ref>   The company undertook [[drug development]] of a formulation of supplement as a drug candidate for neuromuscular disorders like [[ALS]], and raised a $40 million Series A round.<ref name=XconomyFlexFounding/><ref name=FierceFlexFounding>{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=John|title=Christoph Westphal launches another biotech, with the help of some wealthy friends|url=http://www.fiercebiotech.com/venture-capital/christoph-westphal-launches-another-biotech-help-of-some-wealthy-friends|work=FierceBiotech|date=September 8, 2014|language=en}}</ref>  The company had an $86 million [[initial public offering]] in 2015.<ref name=FierceFlexIPO>{{cite news|last1=Garde|first1=Damian|title=Flex Pharma pulls off an $86M IPO for its cramp-treating spice cocktail|url=http://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/flex-pharma-pulls-off-an-86m-ipo-for-its-cramp-treating-spice-cocktail|access-date=20 July 2016|publisher=Fierce Biotech|date=28 January 2015}}</ref>  In 2016, the company launched "HotShot" as a dietary supplement for endurance athletes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fuel Buzz: New HotShot Drink Aimed at Preventing Cramps|url=http://running.competitor.com/2016/06/news/fuel-buzz-new-hotshot-drink-aimed-preventing-cramps_151129|access-date=20 July 2016|publisher=Competitor|date=2 June 2016}}</ref>  In June 2018 the company halted clinical development of the drug candidate due to tolerability issues, cut its workforce, and said it was considering its strategy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Al Idrus |first1=Amirah |title=Flex Pharma dumps midstage trials, cuts workforce, mulls a sale to stay alive |url=https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/flex-pharma-dumps-midstage-trials-cuts-workforce-mulls-a-sale-to-stay-alive |work=FierceBiotech |date=June 13, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=10Q Quarterly Report |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1615219/000161521918000052/flks2018063010-q.htm |website=www.sec.gov |publisher=Flex via SEC Edgar |date=1 August 2018}}</ref> In July 2018 MacKinnon resigned from the board of directors.<ref>{{cite web |title=Form 8K |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1615219/000161521918000042/a8-kforrm.htm |publisher=Flex via SEC Edgar |date=25 July 2018}}</ref>