Omada Health, a pioneer in chronic care management, is eyeing a $1.1 billion valuation as it preps for its IPO under the ticker OMDA on the Nasdaq. With a focus that’s evolved from prediabetes to full-spectrum cardiometabolic and MSK care, Omada is betting big on virtual, data-driven coaching for the chronically ill. Its revenues surged to $169.8 million in 2024, yet net losses remain significant—$47.1 million last year, with $9.4 million already reported in Q1 2025. Still, Omada’s offer of 7.9 million shares at $18–$20 each comes on the heels of Hinge Health’s successful IPO, suggesting investor appetite for virtual…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Imagine a treatment that doesn’t just mask gastrointestinal pain but addresses its root by recalibrating the intricate communication between your brain and gut. Neuromodulators are emerging as a transformative approach in managing chronic GI discomfort, especially in conditions where traditional therapies fall short. These agents, which include certain antidepressants and antipsychotics, are being repurposed to modulate the gut-brain axis, offering relief to patients with disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia. By influencing neurotransmitter pathways, they help in normalizing gut motility and reducing visceral hypersensitivity.
At City of Hope, a powerful blend of precision oncology, spatial transcriptomics, and artificial intelligence is unlocking long-standing mysteries in colorectal cancer—particularly why it’s surging in young Hispanic and Latino individuals. Using the 10x Genomics Visium platform, researchers mapped gene activity across tumor regions, revealing immune-cancer interactions and mutational hotspots previously undetectable. But the real disruptor? A proprietary Precision Medicine AI Agent (PM-AI) that integrates DNA, RNA, clinical, and social health data within hours—not weeks. Could this be the beginning of a new era where AI delivers personalized care before patients even step into the clinic?
Imagine diagnosing upper GI bleeding without an endoscopy. A new ingestible capsule, PillSense, is doing just that—providing real-time detection of gastrointestinal blood in just 10 minutes. In a study presented at DDW 2025, this FDA-approved tool not only proved safe and highly accurate but also altered clinical decisions in 80% of cases. Patients with negative results had dramatically shorter hospital stays, fewer transfusions, and avoided unnecessary EGDs—all with no adverse outcomes. With hospital resources stretched thin, this tiny device could help triage patients faster, reduce costs, and prioritize care for those truly in need. But is it the end of…
Legacy ChatGPT models have historically stumbled on gastroenterology board exams. But DeepSeek, a new medical AI model, just changed the game—scoring a remarkable 81.5% when search-augmented, far outpacing ChatGPT-3 and ChatGPT-4, both of which failed to meet the passing threshold. Tested on 455 questions from the American College of Gastroenterology, DeepSeek’s performance hints at a future where AI could supplement medical training—or even clinical reasoning.
Over half of all babies experience gut issues—and a third of school-aged children suffer from allergies. But what if a personalized nutrition plan, powered by AI and microbiome science, could change that trajectory? Swedish-Danish startup Alba Health has just raised $2.5 million to scale its precision gut health platform for kids aged 0–12. Using metagenomics and research-grade analysis, the company delivers tailored dietary insights to parents—already seeing viral growth fueled by word-of-mouth. Backed by investors behind Oura and led by experts like Professor Willem de Vos, Alba is also running the PREVENT Study, tracking hundreds of families to decode how…
More than 2,100 U.S. counties lack a single gastroenterologist. That’s nearly 50 million Americans—many older, poorer, and rural—forced to travel 25 miles or more for care that could detect cancer, manage IBD, or even save lives. Why does this gap exist, and what can be done? While patients in remote counties wait or rely on overburdened primary care, the FDA is charging forward. Recent months saw landmark approvals: the first-ever blood test to screen for colorectal cancer, new biologics for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s, and rapid diagnostics for hepatitis C—all signaling a leap in innovation. But can technology outpace the…
Olympus just received FDA clearance for its EZ1500 endoscope series, featuring the much-anticipated Extended Depth of Field (EDOF™) technology. This innovation promises ultra-clear images that could redefine how endoscopists detect and diagnose GI conditions. But the real story lies in how these scopes blend cutting-edge optics with ergonomic design and enhanced visualization tech like TXI™, RDI™, and NBI™. Could this be the next leap in endoscopic precision? Dive into the full announcement to see what’s changing in your endoscopy suite.
Lawrence Kim, MD, AGAF, has officially begun his term as the 120th president of the AGA Institute. A leader in community-based practice, Dr. Kim is a partner at South Denver Gastroenterology, an independent gastroenterology practice in Colorado.
On The Scope Forward Show, Matt Schwartz—Founder and CEO of Virgo—unveiled EndoML, a clinician-facing platform built on Virgo’s massive foundation model, EndoDINO. This isn’t just another AI update—it’s a turning point for gastroenterology.With more than 2 million full-length endoscopy videos and a platform that lets any clinician train models using their own technique, Virgo’s trajectory signals a fundamental shift—from industry-led tools to clinician-owned AI.This isn’t an update. It’s a wake-up call.Matt lays out a bold vision: Imagine any endoscopist building a CADx system tuned to their own hands, their own diagnostic eye. Picture AI not as a separate assistant, but as…