Belgium-based MRM Health secured €55M ($64M) in Series B financing, led by Biocodex, to fund a Phase 2b trial of MH002, its six-strain microbial consortium for ulcerative colitis, and to expand its microbiome pipeline. Early Phase 2a trials in ulcerative colitis and pouchitis showed MH002 was safe and hinted at meaningful efficacy, with remission rates up to 46%. Built on the CORAL® platform, MH002 benefits from a unique single-substance manufacturing process, ensuring consistent dosing and regulatory scalability. The financing also includes a strategic collaboration with Biocodex to bolster development and production of live biotherapeutics.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Patients are increasingly sharing stool photos with gastroenterologists to better describe symptoms that words may obscure. While sometimes awkward, these images provide valuable clinical context — especially in cases like GI bleeding where accuracy is critical. Research now shows stool photos can support AI models in predicting inflammation, and even “smart toilets” are being tested to classify stool automatically. Together, these tools highlight how patient-driven documentation and technology could reshape diagnosis, monitoring, and engagement in GI care. Key Takeaways
Optum subsidiary SCA Health, one of the largest ASC operators in the U.S., has expanded its reach with the acquisition of Exton, Pa.-based U.S. Digestive Health in early 2025. The deal adds significant scale to Optum’s portfolio. U.S. Digestive Health includes more than 250 gastroenterology providers across 40 practice sites and 24 ASCs in Pennsylvania and Delaware. The organization itself was formed in 2019 through the consolidation of three regional gastroenterology groups, backed by private equity investment. Five ASC and GI leaders joined Becker’s to discuss their thoughts on the sale
Advances in imaging, battery life, and AI are fueling a resurgence of capsule endoscopy as a patient-friendly alternative to traditional endoscopy. Once limited by low diagnostic yield, today’s capsule technologies—like Medtronic’s AI-powered PillCam and CapsoVision’s CapsoCam—now deliver sensitivity and specificity rates approaching 100%. With FDA clearances for remote ingestion, the technology is expanding access to rural, pediatric, and mobility-limited populations. While capsule endoscopy remains purely diagnostic for now, it’s gaining traction as a cost-effective, minimally invasive option that could reduce unnecessary endoscopies, improve efficiency, and pave the way for hybrid therapeutic applications in the future. Key Takeaways
A UCLA-led study published in Gastroenterology found that fewer than 50% of average-risk adults with abnormal results from Guardant Health’s Shield blood-based colorectal cancer screening test underwent a follow-up colonoscopy within 6 months. Overall, just 56% eventually completed colonoscopy, limiting the test’s effectiveness in cancer prevention. Insurance status mattered: patients with Medicare Advantage were significantly less likely to receive timely follow-up than those with private insurance. Researchers stressed that abnormal blood-based results still require colonoscopy and called for system-level improvements to boost compliance. Key Takeaways
A prospective study led by Penn Medicine researchers shows that genetic screening for DPYD and UGT1A1 variants before chemotherapy can substantially reduce hospitalizations and ER visits from drug-related toxicities in gastrointestinal cancers. Median turnaround for results was 10 days, and more than half of patients had results before treatment. Despite NCCN only recently recommending that clinicians “consider” testing (Feb 2025), researchers urge broader adoption, citing both feasibility and patient safety. Key Takeaways
Noncolorectal gastrointestinal cancers — including gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, biliary tract, and neuroendocrine tumors — are often diagnosed late and carry poor survival rates. Despite rising global burden, advances in precision oncology, immunotherapy, and multimodal treatment strategies are slowly shifting outcomes. Still, complications like cachexia, malnutrition, and late-stage presentation remain major barriers. Key Takeaways
Optum’s SCA Health has acquired U.S. Digestive Health (250+ providers, 40 practice sites, 24 ASCs in PA and DE), strengthening its presence in gastroenterology and outpatient surgery. Formed in 2019 through PE-backed consolidation, USDH now joins one of the nation’s largest ASC operators, underscoring the accelerating pace of corporate consolidation in GI. Key Takeaways from Industry Leaders
Massive layoffs at the CDC — including 600 permanent terminations and a 25% workforce reduction — are weakening the very programs gastroenterology depends on, from outbreak surveillance to cancer prevention. Combined with falling reimbursements, rising costs, and physician shortages, these cuts risk leaving GI practices with sicker patients, fewer resources, and widening health inequities. Key Takeaways
A computer vision model trained on 4,487 endoscopic images was able to identify mucosal ulcerations in Crohn’s disease patients with greater consistency than gastroenterologists and with strong correlation to the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease (SES-CD). Published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the study highlights how AI can bring objectivity and reproducibility to colonoscopy interpretation — areas where manual scoring has long been inconsistent. Key Takeaways