The gastroenterology industry keeps talking about AI for endoscopies and polyp detection. Useful, yes. But it’s also like trying to bolt wheels onto a horse buggy. That’s what industries tried when Ford launched the car—optimize the buggy instead of building highways. GI’s motor car has already arrived. Today, startups peg the GI industry at $136 billion across the spectrum—IBD, IBS, obesity, liver disease, microbiome, motility, CRC, digital health. Digitization doesn’t grow industries by 10%. It grows them by 10x. That puts GI on the path to $1+ trillion. Look at history: AI gives us the same opportunity in GI. Not…
Author: Rutali Thakur
Cyted has secured $44 million to propel its FDA-cleared EndoSign capsule sponge into the US market, positioning the minimally invasive device as a potential game-changer in diagnosing Barrett’s oesophagus and related esophageal conditions. Unlike traditional endoscopy, the swallowable capsule dissolves in the stomach to collect samples, making early detection more accessible and scalable. Backed by EQT Life Sciences and other major investors, and with more than 35,000 tests already completed through the UK’s NHS, the company now aims to validate new biomarkers, expand its test portfolio, and reshape GI diagnostics in primary care. With US trials underway and pharma partnerships…
Private equity is out — and UnitedHealth is in. U.S. Digestive Health (USDH), the largest private gastroenterology group in Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been sold by its backer, Amulet Capital Partners, to a UnitedHealth Group’s unit SCA Health. The deal, closed quietly and without a disclosed price, signals another seismic shift in GI consolidation. Founded by Amulet in 2019, USDH rapidly expanded into a regional giant. Now, with UnitedHealth taking the reins, questions loom: 👉 The deal was uncovered by The Inquirer before being confirmed, raising eyebrows about why such a major acquisition flew under the radar.
In a dramatic policy shift, the Trump administration is planning a five-year experiment to allow Medicare and Medicaid to cover GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—not just for diabetes, but for obesity treatment. The trial, slated to begin in 2026, signals a major reconsideration of prior policies and could reshape access for millions of Americans struggling with obesity. The initiative would require participating plans to also offer lifestyle support such as diet and exercise coaching. While hailed by some as a “game changer,” others raise alarm over costs, long-term sustainability, and the risk of dependency on high-priced…
Gastro Health has named Philip Meador its new Chief Operating Officer, tapping into his extensive leadership experience across ambulatory surgery centers, pharmacy, infusion, and lab operations. Meador, formerly SVP of Operations at Surgery Partners, brings a track record of operational excellence from roles at Premier Inc., Emory Healthcare, and others.
As reports surface about possible changes to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and over 20 healthcare partners are urging Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to safeguard the agency’s core role. They warn that weakening USPSTF authority could jeopardize life-saving, no-cost screenings—particularly for colorectal cancer, which remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. The Alliance’s Screen Smart initiative emphasizes data-driven policies and practical tools to boost access and adherence. They argue that the USPSTF’s evidence-based, population-level assessments must remain distinct from the FDA’s focus on test safety and efficacy. The Task…
In a recent study, researchers at the University of Zurich and the University of Oxford developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to determine DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status in colorectal cancer. The tool achieved 98% accuracy in identifying MMR deficiency across two large clinical trial cohorts of patients with colorectal cancer and could reduce pathologist workload by correctly classifying over three-quarters of cases without human review.
For the first time, researchers have successfully deployed a fully autonomous surgical robot to perform gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) on pig cadavers—without any human joystick control. The system, called Surgical Robot Transformer-Hierarchy (SRT-H), was trained using videos and surgeon joystick movements on Intuitive Surgical’s Da Vinci robot. Developed by researchers at Stanford and Johns Hopkins, SRT-H mimics surgeon behavior using AI models similar to ChatGPT. It adapts in real time to anatomical differences, navigates tight surgical spaces, and even handles simulated bleeding—marking a major leap toward independent robotic surgery. While slower than human surgeons, the robot delivered smoother, more precise trajectories.…
Vibrant Wellness has launched an upgraded version of its flagship Gut Zoomer test, now featuring expanded microbial and metabolic coverage for a more comprehensive assessment of gut health. The new panel integrates multiple technologies—including PCR, ELISA, LC-MS/MS, and protein microarrays—to deliver 360° insights into digestion, inflammation, detoxification, and immunity. It profiles over 100 commensal species and detects pathogens across bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic groups. It also assesses vital biomarkers such as zonulin, fecal pH, occult blood, gut antibodies, and microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids and bile acids.
In a historic milestone for global healthcare, Dr. Vipul Patel, a robotic surgery pioneer at AdventHealth’s Global Robotics Institute in Florida, remotely performed a prostatectomy on a patient in Angola — spanning nearly 7,000 miles. The procedure, conducted at Luanda’s Complexo Hospitalar Cardeal Dom Alexandre do Nascimento, marks the world’s longest-distance telesurgery ever completed. The patient, 67-year-old Fernando da Silva, recovered well and was discharged within three days. Local hospital teams, including nurses and engineers, worked in real-time with Dr. Patel, showcasing the seamless fusion of technology and global collaboration. “This was the first teleassisted surgery in Angola — and…