A new Nature Communications Medicine article dives into the expanding role of ctDNA-based liquid biopsies in colorectal cancer. From guiding targeted therapies in metastatic CRC to detecting minimal residual disease after surgery, liquid biopsy holds potential to redefine care pathways. But while the science is compelling, real-world clinical utility remains under scrutiny. FDA approvals have rolled in, yet long-term survival benefits and cost-effectiveness are still unproven for many applications. Early screening, too, shows promise—but with limitations in detecting precancerous lesions, it’s no replacement for colonoscopy just yet.
Author: Rutali Thakur
Highlights: UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty unexpectedly stepped down for “personal reasons,” prompting former CEO Stephen Hemsley to return as chief executive.The announcement follows months of turmoil, including the fatal December shooting of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO and ongoing Justice Department investigations.UnitedHealth’s stock plunged 17%, and the company suspended its 2025 financial outlook due to higher-than-expected Medicare Advantage medical costs.
Roche is rolling out a new diagnostic test to help assess hidden liver fibrosis in patients showing signs of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD. The company said its 18-minute Elecsys PRO-C3 blood test, run on its cobas e instruments, is used alongside a formula that accounts for other clinical information—such as the patient’s age, diabetes status and platelet count. Its findings can help guide treatment and potentially provide access to upcoming therapies.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has released updated 2025 clinical guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—a condition impacting up to 28% of U.S. adults. These recommendations provide clarity on when to use endoscopy, the role of lifestyle changes, and which patients may benefit from emerging endoscopic interventions.
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and health-care incubator MATTER have teamed up to launch the first-ever digestive disease startup accelerator, kicking off this summer. Ten early-stage companies working on novel diagnostics, therapies, and patient-experience solutions for conditions ranging from IBS and Crohn’s disease to liver disorders and colorectal cancer will be selected for a six-month program. Participants will receive tailored mentorship from an AGA executive-in-residence, monthly workshops, access to MATTER’s mentor network, and strategic resources to help them scale. This initiative builds on AGA’s existing GI Opportunity Fund and aims to bridge the gap between emerging technology and clinical practice;…
Cosmo Pharmaceuticals today announced that its partner Endovision Limited has received EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certification for Cerebro, the first real-time, AI-powered Computer-Assisted Quality (CAQ) tool for complete upper GI (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) procedures.
GI & Hepatology News and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) present Gastroenterology Data Trends 2025, a special report on hot topics in GI told through original infographics and visual storytelling.
Virgo Surgical Video Solutions today unveiled EndoML, a no-code AI development platform tailored for gastroenterology and pharmaceutical research, at Digestive Disease Week 2025. Built atop their EndoDINO foundation model—trained on over 130,000 full-length GI endoscopy videos—EndoML enables clinicians and researchers to transform raw endoscopy footage into custom AI models for tasks like polyp segmentation, anatomical landmark recognition, and IBD severity scoring, all without machine-learning expertise.
SwipeBiome, a self-funded startup founded in 2023, is building a real-time, non-invasive platform to democratize personalized gut health. Currently in R&D, the company will soon launch a consumer app that delivers dynamic daily recommendations across prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, fermented foods, and supplements—without the need for stool samples. By blending a vast microbiome and biotic database with predictive analytics and real-time symptom tracking, SwipeBiome aims to make personalized gut care “as simple as booking a flight.” Its B2B arm will support supplement, pharma, functional food, and pet care companies with evidence-based product innovation, all delivered via subscription or licensing models.
Flagship Pioneering has launched a new biotech startup, Etiome, with $50 million in funding and a bold vision to preempt disease before serious symptoms arise. Combining multiomics, AI, and EHR data, Etiome builds “molecular movies” that map how diseases evolve—starting with fatty liver disease (MASH)—to identify when and how to intervene with targeted therapies. By catching disease progression at earlier stages, Etiome aims to usher in a new era of preemptive medicine for conditions like neurodegeneration, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.