While deal volume in gastroenterology has declined—down from 27 deals in 2022 to just 11 in 2024—the fundamentals for consolidation remain strong. KPMG’s Q1 2025 report makes one thing clear: GI remains a highly fragmented, growth-ready specialty that continues to attract private equity and strategic buyers. What’s driving this evolution? Why this matters:The drop in deal count doesn’t signal weakness—it reflects a maturing landscape where quality, not quantity, defines activity. Practices that modernize and offer scalable infrastructure are best positioned to capitalize on future waves of consolidation.
Author: Abhay Panchal
H. pylori infection affects nearly half the world’s population and is a leading, yet preventable, cause of stomach cancer. A new analysis published in Nature Medicine projects that 15.6 million people born between 2008–2017 could develop stomach cancer without intervention. Astonishingly, 76% of those cases are linked to H. pylori and could be avoided with early screen-and-treat strategies.The burden is highest in Asia and growing among people under 50, yet treatment remains accessible—antibiotic combinations with proton pump inhibitors are both effective and affordable. Experts call for national prevention programs to mitigate what could be a looming public health crisis
At the intersection of medicine and machine learning, Dr. Ali Soroush, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is pioneering the responsible integration of generative AI into gastroenterology. From automating EHR data extraction to enhancing cancer screening workflows, his work is focused on solving real-world GI challenges through scalable AI tools. Dr. Soroush is not only transforming practice with innovations like a patented system for processing colonoscopy data, but also shaping the next generation of AI-literate GI physicians through the AI Scholars Program and core fellow training at Mount Sinai. His leadership helps gastroenterologists move beyond…
NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island has appointed Galen Leung, MD as Chief of Advanced Endoscopy. Dr. Leung is a nationally recognized expert in third space (intramural) endoscopy, specializing in pancreaticobiliary diseases and early-stage GI cancer treatment.
Viome Life Sciences and Scripps Research have partnered to develop the first RNA-based at-home test to detect precancerous colon polyps—aiming to shift CRC prevention from invasive colonoscopy to early molecular detection. Key details: If successful, this could mark a major advancement in noninvasive CRC prevention by targeting polyp-stage intervention.
Geneoscopy has received FDA approval for an updated, simplified stool collection method for ColoSense®, its RNA-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test. The new kit eliminates the need to scrape or divide stool samples—reducing one of the biggest barriers to at-home CRC testing and aiming to boost compliance. Key highlights: By making at-home screening easier, ColoSense may help close the gap for the 44 million Americans who remain unscreened for CRC.
In a landmark study published in Nature, Duke University researchers unveiled a “sixth sense” that allows the brain to respond instantly to gut microbes. This neurobiotic sense operates via neuropods—specialized gut cells that detect flagellin, a microbial protein, and relay appetite-suppressing signals to the brain via the vagus nerve. Key findings: 🧠💡 This discovery adds a new dimension to the gut-brain axis, suggesting behavior can be modulated by microbial signals in real time—not just through immune or hormonal responses.
A groundbreaking study published in Gastroenterology shows that a machine learning model (random forest analysis) significantly outperforms conventional tools in identifying high-risk cirrhosis patients. Researchers analyzed data from 121 hospitals globally (via the CLEARED consortium), validating the model with U.S. Veterans’ data. Key findings:
In an ambitious move to modernize the drug and device approval process, the FDA introduced “Elsa”—an AI assistant designed to fast-track reviews. However, a CNN investigation reveals that Elsa frequently “hallucinates” fake studies and misrepresents research, making it unreliable for high-stakes regulatory decisions. While the FDA touts Elsa’s ability to summarize documents and identify priority inspections, internal staff have expressed serious concerns. Six current and former officials say the tool is only marginally useful for tasks like email templates, and not viable for scientific reviews due to its factual inaccuracies. Elsa can’t even access core regulatory submissions, limiting its utility…
EndoQuest Robotics just secured a Series D-2 funding round co-led by Crescent Enterprises and surgical robotics pioneer Dr. Fred Moll—aiming to fast-track its flexible endoluminal surgical platform through FDA clearance and pivotal trials. Backed by investors like UTHealth Houston and Puma Venture Capital, EndoQuest is advancing the PARADIGM study in top hospitals (Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, Brigham, and more), showcasing its potential to remove complex colorectal lesions without invasive surgery. With bold ambitions in GI procedures, cutting-edge visualization tech, and a growing U.S.–Korea presence, the company is positioning itself as a category-defining force in scar-free robotic surgery.