NinePoint Medical Inc.
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Over the past 20 years, the diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma - the most common form of esophageal cancer - has doubled in the US and now stands at roughly 16,500 new cases each year. This dramatic increase is believed to be related to an increased incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity. Physicians agree that to slow the increase in this deadly cancer, detection at its earliest stages is critical. Unfortunately, the standard tools available to do this are less than ideal. NinePoint Medical has developed technology designed to detect precursors to esophageal cancer in real time, in vivo, using near-infrared light and complex computing algorithms.
You may also be interested in...
NinePoint Medical Looks Deep For Barrett’s Esophagus
NinePoint Medical Inc. is looking to shed some insights on the mysteries of the esophagus. The venture-backed start-up launched NvisionVLE, an imaging system that can produce real-time images of the esophagus, enabling gastroenterologists to see where they need to cut when performing biopsies of tests of worrisome esophageal tissue including Barrett’s esophagus.
Buyer Appetite Might Appeal To GI Device Investors
A long-time darling of venture capital, the gastrointestinal sector has yet to meet expectation of VCs who wagered on technologies to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus and even obesity. But some notable acquisitions, including Covidien’s purchase of privately held Barrx, may present a ray of hope for investors in GI companies.
A Bright Future For Optical Imaging
One bright spot emerging in this otherwise lackluster economy is the market for optical imaging technologies. Optical imaging encompasses a wide array of current and emerging techniques that use light as the primary imaging modality to characterize local anatomy down to cellular and molecular levels.