Gastrointestinal Diseases from Animals

In solid tumors, targeted therapies are scarce for patients with mutations like KRAS or fusions like NRG1 . Two clinical trials are investigating novel agents targeting these alterations to improve outcomes in patients with these particular genetic drivers of disease. The research was recently presented at the 2019 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics.   Targeting KRAS G12C In a press release, Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD, director, The Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, stated, "There are currently no effective targeted therapies for patients with KRAS -mutant cancers. KRAS mutations are the most common oncogenic alteration in all of the human cancers, and as such, finding a therapeutic approach for this subset of cancers would have tremendous clinical impact for [patients with] cancer."   Investigators set out to find such a therapeutic approach in the phase I/II study of investigational KRAS inh...

Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos Commissioner for Health By Kazeem Ugbodaga A killer disease known as gastroenteritis has invaded Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, with 117 residents of the state affected by the disease. Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea, is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract—the stomach and small intestine. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Fever, lack of energy and dehydration may also occur. In view of the outbreak, the Lagos State Government reiterated the need for citizens to maintain high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the measures to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, especially the spread of gastroenteritis also known as vomiting and diarrhea which has been reported in the State. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who stated this on Thursday while reviewing the situation report of cases of the gastroenteritis recorded in the State after the weekly biosecurity update meet...

In an interview with MD Magazine® at ACG 2019 , Brooks Cash, MD, AGAF, FACG, FACP, FASGE, chief of gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, delivers his take on areas of unmet need within the gastroenterology field. [embedded content] Cash:  I'd say the most pressing areas of unmet need are increasingly effective and well-tolerated medications for inflammatory bowel disease. Certainly, there's a lot that we need to learn with regards to the evaluation and the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). That's really going to come to the fore, actually [it] really already has, in terms of being a leading cause of cirrhosis and liver-associated death in the next 20 to 30 years, unfortunately. We don't have any really effective therapies right now for that condition. Then, of course, in my own areas—increasing compliance and adherence with colorectal cancer screening and effective therapies for a ...

With new research presented this month, and with new biosimilars in the pipeline that target inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), October was a notable month for biosimilars in the gastroenterology space.   First, this month saw announcements of phase 1 clinical trials for biosimilars referencing Stelara. Ustekinumab, a human interleukin-12 and -23 antagonist, is approved by the FDA to treat Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, as well as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. NeuClone was the first to announce that it had begun dosing participants in its trial, and Formycon followed shortly thereafter , with news that has begun a phase 1 trial of its own. It remains to be seen which biosimilar developer, if either, will be able to advance its candidate to regulatory submissions first, but Formycon said that it anticipates being able to launch its product in Europe in 2024 and in the United States in 2023. In other development news, as Amgen awaits the FDA’s decision on its Biologics...

Stephen B. Hanauer, MD, professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, discusses areas of unmet need in gastroenterology and shares what news made a splash at ACG 2019 . [embedded content] MD Magazine® : What are the most pressing areas of unmet need in gastroenterology currently?   Hanauer : The biggest unmet need in inflammatory bowel disease is really a replacement for corticosteroids in our therapeutic armamentarium. Even with our most effective biologic therapies, or even with the novel immunomodulators such as tofacitinib, still only about 30% of patients have a steroid-free remission. A second unmet need, in addition to replacing steroids in the treatment of Crohn's disease, is actually for early disease or mild disease. We currently have over 10 therapies approved for moderate to severe Crohn's disease, but we really do not have an effective entry level therapy for patients with mild or moderate Crohn's disease to prevent them fro...

SAN ANTONIO — In this exclusive video from the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting, Brooks D. Cash, MD, FACG, chief of the division of gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, discusses the results of a study on Plenvu, a low-volume colonoscopy prep . “What we found with this prep, which is the lowest volume prep on the market today, is that patients were quite satisfied,” Cash told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease . “Ninety-seven percent of patients actually consumed all or most of the prep.” Researchers asked the approximately 1,600 patients included in the study about their tolerance of the prep, and Cash said 75% to 80% of the patients reported that the prep was extremely well tolerated and thought the volume of the prep was “absolutely appropriate.” Additionally, investigators asked patients who previously used other preps to compare them with their experience with Plenvu (Salix Pharmaceu...

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 28, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allakos Inc. (NASDAQ: ALLK), a biotechnology company developing AK002 for the treatment of eosinophil and mast cell related diseases, today announced upcoming presentations at the American College of Gastroenterology 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting. The Company and its collaborators will deliver one oral and four poster presentations at the event being held in San Antonio, Texas from October 28 to 30, 2019. Late-breaking oral presentation: Efficacy and Safety of AK002 in Adult Patients with Active Eosinophilic Gastritis and/or Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: Primary Results from a Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo- Controlled Phase 2 Trial (ENIGMA Study) Presenting author: Dr. Evan Dellon, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Tuesday, October 29, 2019, 9:50 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Plenary Session 2B: Pancreatic Cancer / Esophagus Poster presentations: Symptomatic Patients Suspected of Eosinophilic Gastritis...

Bayhealth Gastroenterology, Sussex Campus announced the addition of a new doctor, Shruti Patel, MD. She joins Gautamy Chitiki Dhadham, MD, in the practice. Patel is now accepting new patients. The practice is part of Bayhealth Medical Group, a partnership of highly trained physicians, their clinical staff, and an administrative support team that operates practices throughout central and southern Delaware. “We’re so pleased to have Dr. Patel on board,” said John Fink, MD, medical director for Bayhealth Medical Group. “She is a skilled and caring physician, and will be a great asset to patients in our community suffering from digestive system disorders.” Prior to coming to Bayhealth, Patel was at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, N.Y. There she did an internal medicine residency and completed a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology. She holds a medical degree from SBKS Medical Institute and Research Center in Vadodara, India. Patel specializes in treating pr...

PLEASANTON, CA — The Pleasanton Unified School District is advising families that it's seeing a rise in the number of students sick with the stomach flu, or norovirus. Foothill High School Principal Sebastian Bull sent out a letter Wednesday to families that read, "A handful of students have been out ill with viral gastroenteritis symptoms ('stomach flu'). We are working proactively and closely with our district nurses and Health Office, as well as our County Health Department, to help keep our students healthy and prevent further illness. "We are following guidance regarding cleaning and sterilization procedures as a precaution and to stay ahead of this, including deep cleaning of classrooms and disinfecting all public surfaces with a focus on high touch areas such as door knobs, light switches and countertops/desks," Bull continued. "To assist with this process, we are bringing in additional outside staff the next two evenings on campus to support o...

Written by Eric Oliver | October 30, 2019 | Print  | Email Miami-based Gastro Health was the first gastroenterology practice to take on a private equity partner when it struck a deal with Audax Private Equity in 2016, and as the fourth year of their affiliation approaches, Becker's ASC Review wanted to reflect on their transaction activity to date: March 2016: Audax Private Equity enters into a deal with Gastro Health. January 2017: Gastro Health acquires private practice of Douglas M. Weissman, MD, in Coral Springs, Fla. March 2017: Gastro Health acquires Delray Beach, Fla.-based South Palm GI. April 2017: Gastro Health acquires Hollywood, Fla.-based Gastroenterology Consultants, its 25th South Florida location. June 2017: Gastro Health acquires Miami-based Pediatric Gastroenterology Associates, becoming South Florida's largest pediatric gastroenterology provider. July 2017: Gastro Health acquired Fort Myers, Fla.-based Digestive Health Physicians and O...

"At Salix, we are dedicated to continuous innovation in order to address the unmet needs of patients. We are honored to launch a scholarship program that is uniquely focused on helping students who are living with a GI disease," said Nicola Kayel , vice president of Marketing, Salix Pharmaceuticals. To apply for the scholarship, a student is required to write an essay that describes the impact having a diagnosed GI condition has had on his or her life, as well as the role that a health care provider played in helping to treat the condition. Scholarships are open to school applicants or current attendees of a two- or four-year college, university, or an advanced (post-high school) vocational or technical school, and are available in four categories: Undergraduate Scholar Awards for students pursuing undergraduate degrees Graduate Scholar Awards for students pursuing graduate degrees Working Parent's Scholar Award for students who are parents pursuing undergradua...

Prescription digital therapeutic developer Pear Therapeutics is expanding its app-based platform to conditions outside of the brain and mental health through a gastrointestinal disease-focused collaboration with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals.  The new project comes two weeks after Sandoz pulled out of its commercialization agreement with the 2018 FierceMedTech Fierce 15 winner , as Novartis’ generics division moves to reallocate resources to its core businesses.  Ironwood’s gastrointestinal franchise, meanwhile, includes the FDA-approved Linzess in partnership with Allergan. The drug is currently indicated for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic constipation, and it’s also being studied in other IBS-related abdominal symptoms and pediatric constipation. Survey Industry Insight Survey: Direct-to-Patient Distribution of Clinical Supplies This industry survey seeks to gain insight on trial sponsors' perspective on offering a DTP option and their current level of aware...

Applications For The Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholars Program Will Be Accepted Beginning Nov. 1, 2019 BRIDGEWATER, N.J. , Oct. 30, 2019 /CNW/ -- Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) and its gastroenterology business, Salix Pharmaceuticals ("Salix"), one of the largest specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world committed to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, today announced the start of the applications period for its inaugural Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholars Program, which will award a total of $100,000 in scholarships to ten outstanding students living with GI disease who are pursuing their higher education goals. "At Salix, we are dedicated to continuous innovation in order to address the unmet needs of patients. We are honored to launch a scholarship program that is uniquely focused on helping students who are living with a GI disease," said Nicola Kayel , vice president of Marketing, Salix Pharmaceutic...

A company that makes prescription digital therapeutics and a pharmaceutical company have formed a partnership that will explore developing digital therapeutics for patients with gastrointestinal diseases. Boston-based Pear Therapeutics said Wednesday it had entered an agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals to evaluate prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) to treat what it called selected gastrointestinal indications. The partnership, they said, would use Pear’s PDT capabilities and Ironwood’s gastrointestinal franchise. In an emailed statement provided by a spokesperson, Pear CEO Corey McCann wrote that the company would not be disclosing additional details, such as which indications are being targeted. . “This agreement represents an attractive opportunity to develop first-in-class products that could help patients with GI diseases reach better outcomes,” Ironwood President Tom McCourt said in a statement. “At Ironwood, we are committed to helping patients with GI diseases a...

Gastroenterology Associates of Colorado Springs (GACS) is a private practice of board certified gastroenterologists committed to providing outstanding care. Our goal is to provide excellent care in a timely, courteous, and professional manner. Our mission is to aid in improving your digestive health and also be a resource to your primary care physician. We offer a wide variety of gastroenterology services including inpatient/outpatient consultation, hemorrhoid treatment, upper endoscopy and colonoscopy and much more. Services provided: Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Colonoscopy Screening Hemorrhoid Center Bravo Esophageal Test ERCP Capsule Endoscopy Smartpill SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY: CALL US AT 719-632-7101 Visit Healthgrades.com to Read Our Doctor’s Five-Star Reviews THOMAS MEISTER, MD Dr. Thomas Meister, MD is a gastroenterology specialist in Colorado Springs, CO and has been practicing for 23 years. He graduated from University of Nebraska / College of Medicine in 1...

Bayhealth Gastroenterology, Sussex Campus is pleased to welcome new doctor  Vineet Gudsoorkar, MD . He joins  Gautamy Chitiki Dhadham, MD , and  Shruti Patel, MD , in the practice. Dr. Gudsoorkar is now accepting new patients. The practice is part of the  Bayhealth Medical Group , a partnership of highly trained physicians, their clinical staff, and an administrative support team that operates practices throughout central and southern Delaware. “We’re very excited to welcome Dr. Gudsoorkar to Bayhealth Gastroenterology,” said Practice Manager Gina Skipper, MBA, CMPE, CPC. “With his expertise and personable manner, he is a great addition to our team. Having another skilled gastroenterologist will help us better serve our community.” Dr. Gudsoorkar comes to Bayhealth from Houston Methodist Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical College in Houston, Texas. During his residency he served as chief resident in their Department of Internal Medicine, and then completed his ga...

Using a fluoroscopy system enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) during image-guided endoscopy can significantly reduce patients’ exposure to radiation and diminish the scatter effect to endoscopy personnel, according to late-breaking research presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) 2019 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course. To reach this conclusion, Ji Young Bang, MD, from AdventHealth Orlando in Orlando, Florida, and colleagues conducted a prospective study of 100 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopy with either a conventional fluoroscopy system (n=50) or an AI-enabled fluoroscopy system (n=50). The study outcome measures were to compare radiation exposure to patients via dose area product (DAP) and to measure radiation scatter to endoscopy personnel via a dosimeter.  The groups had no significant difference in demographics, body mass index, procedural type, or procedural/fluoroscopy time between the conventional and the AI-enabl...

UPDATE: Shoal Creek Elementary school reopened Tuesday without issue, and normal school functions have resumed, Rockdale County Public Schools spokeswoman Cindy Ball said. ORIGINAL STORY: For the second time in seven months, a Rockdale County elementary school will close after a widespread stomach bug made students and staff members ill. On Friday, district officials said they made the decision to close Shoal Creek Elementary on Monday amid a “rapid increase of students and staff with gastroenteritis” this week. In a letter to parents, administrators said the school is working closely with the Rockdale County Health Department to limit the impact of the illness, which is likely due to norovirus. “Closing Monday will allow a break in the transmission cycle,” district spokeswoman Cindy Ball said. “We have implemented deep cleaning procedures the past few days and will continue those protocols throughout the weekend and as long as needed.” Ball said school officials beg...

Written by Eric Oliver | October 29, 2019 | Print  | Email Here are five updates from gastroenterology companies and practices from the past week:  Healthgrades released its list of the best hospitals for specialty care. Read more.  Arizona Digestive Health President Paul J. Berggreen, MD, elaborated on why his practice joined the private equity-backed GI Alliance in Dallas and why he became the Alliance's chief strategy officer. Read more.  The National Cancer Institute awarded two universities $5.7 million to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in the Appalachia region of the U.S.  Silver Spring, Md.-based Capital Digestive Care and Jamison, Pa.-based Physicians Endoscopy on Oct. 28 launched PE Practice Solutions, a physician-oriented management services organization targeting private practice gastroenterologists. Gastroenterologist Shruti Patel, MD, joined the Bayhealth Gastroenterology, Sussex Campus in Milford, Del. More a...

Written by Angie Stewart | October 29, 2019 | Print  | Email Strong consolidation activity characterized the physician services sector in the third quarter of 2019, according to Provident Healthcare Partners ' "Q3-2019 Physician Services Update." September: 1. Miami-based Gastro Health acquires Seattle-based Puget Sound Gastroenterology, which has 24 physicians at four Washington locations. 2. The GI Alliance, an entity formed by Waud Capital Partners and Southlake-based Texas Digestive Disease Consultants, acquires Beaumont-based Southeast Texas Gastroenterology Associates, which has four physicians and two locations. July: 3. The GI Alliance acquires Evanston-based Illinois Gastroenterology Group, which has 47 physicians across 29 locations in Illinois. 4. Nashville, Tenn.-based Covenant Surgical Partners acquires Gilbert-based Arizona Centers for Digestive Health, which has 11 Arizona locations and 17 physicians. More articles on orthopedics/TJR: OrthoSou...

SAN ANTONIO — In this exclusive video from the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting, Ikuo Hirano, MD, FACG, a professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, discusses his presentation of a phase 3 study on the efficacy of budesonide oral suspension for eosinophilic esophagitis . “Currently, there is a large, unmet need for the management of eosinophilic esophagitis,” Hirano told Healio Gastroenterology and Liver Disease . “Our practice, right now, in gastroenterology for taking care of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis consists of using elimination diets, which get rid of common food allergens from our patients. Another strategy is to use proton pump inhibition, which is effective in about 30% to 50% of patients.” Hirano said the budesonide oral suspension helped reduce symptoms of dysphagia and the histologic, pathologic hallmarks of the disease. Compared with placebo, the oral suspension also improved endoscopic features of EoE...

Written by Eric Oliver | October 29, 2019 | Print  | Email Current RDD Pharma CEO John Temperato elaborated on the thinking behind the Innovate and RDD Pharma merger to Becker's ASC Review and offered insights into what's expected after the merger closes and 9 Meters Biopharma is formed .  Note: Responses were edited for style and clarity.  Question: How did the Innovate and RDD merger come to be? ​ John Temperato: Innovate is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., where I live and where Salix Pharmaceuticals, where I worked for more than 10 years, was headquartered. Prior to Salix being purchased by Valeant, we were in the process of evaluating Larazotide, which is Innovate's asset for celiac disease — and the first ever to enter a phase 3 registration trial for celiac. Lastly, about three months ago, Innovate announced that it was looking for a CEO. So with those facts as the preamble — plus Lorin Johnson, the co-founder of Salix, being a current board membe...