GI & Endoscopy

Shape Up America! is urging the Department of Health and Human Services to extend coverage of obesity screenings, physician-based counseling and surgical treatment for the severely obese to those covered by state insurance plans, according to a news release.

ImmusanT, a biotechnology company, raised $20 million in funding from Vatera Healthcare Partners, a venture capital firm focusing on biopharmaceutical firms, for the development of a vaccine and diagnostic tool for celiac disease, according to a news release.

The FDA issued warning letters to eight surgical centers and California marketing firm 1-800-GET-THIN, asking them to remove misleading advertisements for the Lap-Band device, according to a news release.

Insurance coverage for bariatric surgery in patients under 18 is relatively scarce compared to adults, according to a Gant Daly report.

Olympus America has announced the introduction of a collection of EZ Shot 2 single-use aspiration needles for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures, according to a news release from Olympus.

The incidence of colorectal cancer among adults under age 50 has increased by 2.1 percent in the past decade, according to findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers found 57 percent of seniors aged 75-79 had been screened for colon cancer despite the increased risk and decreased benefit in patients of that age, according to findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers found compounds in broccoli can inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells, according to a news release.

Barrx Medical will donate $200,000 to ASGE's Institute for Training & Technology Capital Campaign, a project to construct a new training facility, over a five-year period, according to an ASGE news release.

Epigenomics completed its U.S. clinical validation study for its second-generation colorectal cancer blood test Epi proColon, according to a news release.