Optum-owned SCA Health, one of the nation’s largest ASC operators, based in Deerfield, Ill., continues to grow its gastroenterology footprint and strengthen its physician partnerships in 2025. Here are 10 things to know so far in 2025:
Author: Abhay Panchal
Gastroenterology is facing workforce shortages, reimbursement cuts and private equity growth in 2025, while top ASCs continue to gain national recognition. Here are seven numbers to know so far this year: . . .
The White House has unveiled “TrumpRx,” a government-run website that will allow Americans to buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers. Pfizer is the first to sign on, agreeing to sell all of its drugs at reduced “most favored nation” prices to Medicaid and on TrumpRx. In exchange, the company secures a three-year exemption from national-security-related tariffs, provided it invests in U.S. manufacturing. The deal marks a major shift in drug pricing strategy—one Trump says will set the tone for future pharma negotiations.
A major UK trial is testing whether computer-assisted detection (CADe) truly transforms colonoscopy outcomes in everyday practice. Interim results from the NAIAD study—spanning 29 hospitals and 124 endoscopists—show CADe boosts adenoma detection rates, especially for nonexpert endoscopists, lifting ADR from under 20% to around 35%. But the effect vanishes once the system is switched off, raising questions about overreliance and whether the technology builds lasting skill. Experts caution that while CADe offers an immediate lift, its benefits may be more fragile than hoped—highlighting both the promise and the pitfalls of AI in endoscopy.
The FDA has approved guselkumab (Tremfya, J&J) as the first IL-23 inhibitor available in both subcutaneous (SC) and IV induction regimens for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Results from the phase 3 ASTRO trial showed significant improvements in remission and endoscopic outcomes with SC dosing, comparable to IV induction. Experts note the SC route could ease barriers by enabling self-administration and reducing infusion burdens.
The GAO reports that physician consolidation is accelerating, with almost half of U.S. doctors now tied to hospital systems—up from less than a third in 2012. While this shift gives practices more negotiating leverage and access to resources, it also fuels concerns about competition, rising costs, and shrinking independence. Research shows higher spending per patient without clear quality gains, leaving healthcare leaders to ask: is consolidation driving efficiency or simply inflating the bill?
GI care is undergoing a quiet revolution. Once dismissed as psychosomatic, conditions like IBS and SIBO are now being reframed through advances in microbiome science, nutrition, and diagnostic technology. From elemental diets that outperform antibiotics, to at-home three-gas breath tests that bypass months-long waits for invasive procedures, the toolkit for patients and physicians is rapidly expanding. But as evidence-based nutrition strategies and digital care apps reshape treatment, consumer-driven fads—often fueled by influencers—add new risks. The challenge for gastroenterologists is balancing innovation with education, helping patients cut through misinformation while embracing integrated, whole-person care.
Outlook Surgical has secured FDA 510(k) clearance for its Inova 1 Towerless Endoscope System—a first-of-its-kind hybrid platform that blends the precision of rigid scopes with the flexibility of traditional endoscopes. Designed for one-handed use, the device integrates directly with surgical instruments, eliminates bulky towers, and delivers crystal-clear HD imaging on any monitor or wirelessly. Early feedback from surgeons calls the system “intuitive” and “long overdue,” with potential applications extending beyond ENT to gastroenterology, orthopedics, and critical care. With a 2026 launch planned, this innovation could reshape surgical visualization and accelerate the shift toward more efficient, minimally invasive care.
Olympus has launched Olysense, its first AI-driven computer-aided detection (CADe) solution for early colorectal polyp detection. At the core is Caddie, a cloud-based platform trained on extensive datasets to spot high-risk lesions—including large polyps and elusive sessile serrated lesions—by analyzing colonoscopy video frames in real time. The software integrates seamlessly with Olympus’ EVIS X1 and EVIS Exera III systems.
Iterative Health has appointed Bill Kayser as its new President and CFO, marking a major hire as the company pushes to expand its role in GI clinical research. Kayser, who most recently led finances at GI Alliance before its acquisition by Cardinal, brings deep expertise in physician group strategy, M&A, and scaling healthcare organizations. His background—spanning investment banking, Prospero Health (Optum), and McKesson—positions him to steer Iterative’s financial strategy at a time when clinical research and AI are reshaping how GI therapies reach patients.