Guardant Health (Nasdaq: GH) has appointed Roberto A. Mignone, Founder and Managing Partner of Bridger Management, to its board of directors. Mignone brings extensive expertise in healthcare investment and business strategy, enhancing Guardant’s efforts to expand its precision oncology offerings, including its newly FDA-approved colorectal cancer screening product, Shield.Mignone, who co-founded Blue Ridge Capital and serves as co-Vice Chairman at NYU Langone Medical Center, expressed enthusiasm about contributing to Guardant’s mission to improve global cancer care. Guardant Health’s leadership views his strategic insight as key to driving growth and innovation in the company’s products across the continuum of care.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Private equity (PE) investment in healthcare faces significant challenges, including rising labor costs, physician recruitment struggles, regulatory scrutiny, and shrinking reimbursements. Once driven by consolidation opportunities, PE-backed healthcare platforms are now faltering, with high-profile bankruptcies like Envision Healthcare and Steward Health exposing operational risks.Regulatory pressure is intensifying, with nine states requiring pre-approval of healthcare transactions and the FTC scrutinizing large deals. This has slowed M&A activity, making profitable exits difficult and extending PE firms’ hold times beyond five years.To adapt, PE firms must shift toward smaller, regional deals, reduce leverage, and foster physician involvement in operations. While the era of…
Alimetry, a New Zealand-based medtech startup, has developed a noninvasive wearable device that leverages AI to diagnose functional gastric disorders, offering a faster alternative to invasive tests. The device uses a flexible electrode array placed on the stomach to detect weak electrical signals produced by the gut. Cloud-based AI analysis transforms this data into clinical biomarkers, supporting personalized diagnoses for conditions like chronic nausea.After securing $18 million in new funding, Alimetry plans to expand its commercialization efforts, building on a controlled release that began in 2022. The startup’s wearable is already being used by over 30 hospitals across the U.S.,…
The Dutch MOCCAS study suggests that noninvasive stool-based surveillance using FIT or multitarget DNA tests could match colonoscopy in reducing long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, potentially lowering colonoscopy use by 15%-41%. Annual FIT-based monitoring, particularly with FIT FOB-Gold, showed the highest effectiveness and cost savings. While multitarget DNA testing outperformed FIT for detecting advanced lesions, including serrated polyps, it remains more expensive than colonoscopy surveillance.
SonarMD, a leader in value-based care coordination for chronic GI diseases, announced strategic partnerships with LyfeMD and Movement Genius to deliver holistic care solutions to IBD patients. These collaborations integrate nutrition, mental health, and lifestyle programs into SonarMD’s care model at no cost to patients enrolled in SonarMD’s value-based health plans.LyfeMD offers personalized nutrition and lifestyle tools, while Movement Genius provides therapist-led content and somatic exercises to address mental health challenges common among IBD patients. By combining clinical symptom monitoring with these holistic offerings, SonarMD aims to improve health outcomes, reduce ER visits, and enhance patients’ quality of life.
In this podcast episode, Brad Stillman, executive director of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), explores how the GI landscape is evolving and shares insights on preventing physician burnout. He discusses the role of organizations like ACG in equipping physicians with the right tools to support patient care, along with structural challenges in GI practices, the need for innovative education reforms, and the importance of addressing the shortage of gastroenterologists. Stillman also reflects on his journey from law to healthcare leadership, the evolution of ACG during his tenure, and offers a glimpse into the organization’s upcoming strategic plan for 2024.
Ker Leader Medical, a new ASC development company, aims to protect physician autonomy by bypassing private equity and working directly with investment groups. John Webb, one of Ker’s founders and president of MMC Capital Markets, explained that the company was formed to address the challenges ASC leaders face when selling to private equity—where original stakeholders often lose control, and key employees are left behind.Ker’s model consolidates several ASCs under shared management while allowing physicians to retain decision-making authority. “We eliminate the middlemen,” Webb said, likening their approach to Costco by leveraging direct financial partnerships to reduce costs and maintain control.With…
Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology (RMG) is under scrutiny following an October 21, 2024, report by SuspectFile alleging a potential data breach involving three separate cyberattacks. If confirmed, the breach could affect sensitive information of approximately 169,000 patients, including names, Social Security numbers, medical records, and insurance details, spanning from 2015 to 2019.Two of the alleged hacker groups told SuspectFile their attacks were unrelated, though leaked samples of patient data were obtained by the publication. RMG has not yet responded to inquiries, and further investigation is ongoing. If the breach is validated, RMG will be required to notify all affected individuals.
As colorectal cancer cases rise, gastroenterologists are urging patients to undergo screenings, but insurance loopholes are creating barriers. Two key colonoscopy “loopholes” causing concern: Bowel Prep Costs: A recent study led by Dr. Eric Shah of the University of Michigan revealed that many patients face out-of-pocket expenses for colonoscopy prep. Only 17% of patients reported no cost, while others were directed toward non-FDA-approved over-the-counter options. Medicare patients are particularly affected, with just 36% of prescription preps fully covered, and only 25% of Medicare Part D claims seeing no out-of-pocket fees. Dr. Shah warns that even minor costs could delay screenings:…
Cleveland Clinic has partnered with Ayble Health to enhance care for chronic digestive diseases through an AI-enabled digital platform. The Ayble Health platform integrates brain-gut programs—like mindfulness, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy—personalized nutrition tools, and AI-powered wellness tracking. Patients receive tailored care plans following a virtual assessment and can coordinate with both Ayble’s virtual care team and Cleveland Clinic providers.Dr. Miguel Regueiro, Chief of the Digestive Disease Institute, emphasizes the importance of holistic, patient-centered care, noting that behavioral health and nutrition play critical roles in managing conditions like IBD. Dr. Stephen Lupe, a gastrointestinal psychologist, collaborated with Ayble to develop…