Strand Therapeutics, co-founded by Jake Becraft and Tasuku Kitada, has secured $153 million in funding to advance its programmable mRNA platform, which “lights up” tumors to the immune system. Early phase 1 trial results showed the company’s first drug was safe and shrank tumors in patients resistant to other treatments, using targeted delivery to avoid toxicity. Backed by investors including Kinnevik, Amgen, and Eli Lilly, Strand’s valuation now stands at $550M. The company aims to bring its first therapy to market by 2030, with additional mRNA cancer treatments in development.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Dr. Brennan Spiegel, a prominent leader in digital health and gastroenterology, has been instrumental in shaping the conversation around artificial intelligence in clinical care. His work emphasizes the growing role of AI in areas such as diagnostics, patient monitoring, and digital therapeutics. As gastroenterology embraces data-driven innovation, Spiegel’s research and insights offer a compelling look into how technology may redefine the patient and physician experience. This feature by EBMed highlights his influential contributions to the evolving landscape of AI in GI.
A new review by Pooja N. Dave and Sarah Kinsinger explores advances in brain-gut behavior therapies (BGBTs) for disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), such as IBS and motility disorders. Traditional methods—like cognitive behavioral therapy and gut-directed hypnotherapy—are now integrating exposure techniques and mindfulness to better target GI-specific psychological processes.
Anbogen Therapeutics has received FDA clearance to launch a phase 1/2 trial of ABT-301, a selective HDAC1/2/3 inhibitor, in combination with tislelizumab and bevacizumab for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The study will focus on the 95% of mCRC cases that are pMMR/non-MSI-H “cold tumors,” which respond poorly to existing immunotherapies.
Dr. Manoj Mehta traces the dramatic rise of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) in gastroenterology—from rare use in the 1990s to now being common in up to 60% of colonoscopies. Shifts in patient profiles, including widespread use of anxiety medications, cannabis, stimulants, and alcohol, have made traditional sedation less reliable, driving MAC’s expansion.
Chicago, IL – 7 August 2025 — GI Partners of Illinois, the largest independent, physician-led gastroenterology group in the state, has announced a transformative partnership with Simbie AI, a Y Combinator-backed, leading healthcare technology company pioneering AI-powered voice agents for medical practices.
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., Aug. 6, 2025 – Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced data from a recent national survey of 2,000 U.S. women between the ages of 30 and 65, which examined women’s motivations, frustrations and approaches related to weight loss. The release of the data coincides with the launch of Boston Scientific’s Endura Weight Loss Solutions, a new category name for a range of minimally invasive weight loss procedures.
CMS proposed payment cuts to physicians who perform procedures in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and the hospital outpatient department (HOPD) for 2026. The proposals could cost GIs performing endoscopy in those settings a collective $58 million. Here’s how the finalized proposals could impact practices.
AGA’s new web portal helps you navigate payor-imposed challenges that interfere with timely, evidence-based IBD care. IBD physicians and APPs, who know how to get treatments approved quickly by insurers, designed AGA’s suite of tools that help to minimize treatment disruptions, streamline documentation, and strengthen appeal submissions.
Exact Sciences has signed an exclusive licensing deal with Freenome for current and future blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests, adding a complementary option to its Cologuard portfolio. Freenome’s first-version test, recently submitted to the FDA, showed 81% CRC sensitivity and 14% advanced precancerous lesion sensitivity at 90% specificity in the PREEMPT study. The agreement includes up to $775M in payments tied to regulatory and performance milestones, plus royalties, with Exact committing $20M annually for joint R&D over three years. Leaders say the partnership could help close the screening gap for over 50 million unscreened Americans.