In November 2021, a month after Dr. Haytham Gareer joined Geneoscopy as CMO, the company raised $105 million in funding. The company is developing an RNA analysis platform to detect colorectal cancer (to be launched in 2023).
A clinical study showed that when compared against the gold-standard colonoscopy, the platform demonstrated better sensitivity data in detecting advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer than other non-invasive tests.
Dr. Gareer says Geneoscopy is going to increase the number of colonoscopies being performed. However, it’s obvious to me that digital biology is disrupting not just GI but many other specialties that are diagnosing cancer.
I couldn’t hold my curiosity and asked quite directly. Should gastroenterologists be worried about them? Should Cologuard be worried? Should Medtronic with its AI-based polyp detection system be worried? Because when there’s a test that’s going to detect adenomas with a fair degree of accuracy, why bother with diagnostic procedures? Dr. Gareer had a different and interesting view.
As readers of Scope Forward, you already know my take. With more data, digital biology innovations such as RNA and DNA tests combined with machine learning would get extremely sophisticated. It’ll even be able to predict things that we just can’t with traditional approaches. Dr. Haytham completely agreed.
Watch this interview in full. Without doubt it’ll help you comprehend the future of GI.
◘ The science of RNA biomarkers
◘ The thinking behind stool RNA test for detection of colorectal cancer
◘ What is the difference between RNA and DNA?
◘ Is the RNA test better than the stool DNA test?
◘ “Who do you see as competition for Geneoscopy?”
◘ Should gastroenterologists be worried?
◘ “We really think our test is actually going to add a lot of value to colonoscopies”
◘ “Our test will actually increase the number of colonoscopies being performed”
◘ How does the stool RNA test compare against other non-invasive tests?
◘ Will the test replace AI-based adenoma/polyp detection system?
◘ The role of machine learning in the product
◘ On digital biology as an exponential technology and the power of data
◘ Wider focus, wider opportunities
◘ What are the investors thinking?
◘ What is the future of gastroenterology?