There is no change in the core mission of the AGA’s Center for GI Innovation and Technology (CGIT) since two cochairs took over the leadership last year. As always, the goal is to support the development and adoption of new technologies for the treatment of digestive disorders. However, the cochairs want to do more to identify and dismantle the obstacles that slow the process.
“Innovators face challenges at every stage, from attracting investors to refining an idea into a viable clinical tool. Even once a device has obtained regulatory approval, issues of training and reimbursement can keep a good idea from improving patient care,” explained V. Raman Muthusamy, MD, director of interventional endoscopy and general GI endoscopy, at the University of California, Los Angeles. “We want to identify these obstacles and use the CGIT resources to provide solutions.”
Dr. V. Raman Muthusamy
“CGIT was set up to foster collaboration between stakeholders in new technology, but we have been increasingly concerned about the roadblocks that keep important technology from getting into the hands of clinicians,” Dr. Komanduri said at the 2018 AGA Tech Summit sponsored by the AGA Center for GI Innovation and Technology. “In addition to the role that the CGIT has played in bringing together interested parties, we are taking a closer look at how we can help accelerate both the processes of development and implementation once the technology is available.”
