Five startups reach AGA Shark Tank finals

For many physicians, today’s health care environment can feel increasingly out of their control. But Eric Shah, MD, MBA, sees something else emerging: a chance to redefine the profession and reclaim its sense of purpose.

That spirit will be on full display at AGA's Shark Tank Pitch competition on the first day of the 2026 AGA Tech Summit in Chicago, April 9–10. Five early-stage companies have been selected as finalists. They will present new ideas for improving gastrointestinal care, including endoscopic tools and AI-based platforms.

“This is a challenging time for the profession,” Dr. Shah, the Tech Summit’s program chair, told GI & Hepatology News, pointing to a health care system increasingly shaped by consolidation, one that can leave both patients and physicians feeling like “widgets.” But rather than seeing this as decline, he views it as a turning point, an opportunity for physicians to rethink what healthcare could become.

The Shark Tank competition, he explained, isn’t about spotlighting flashy personalities or creating the next social media star. It’s about something quieter and arguably more powerful. “We’re after the people that really want to make a difference,” said Dr. Shah, Associate Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Each finalist is tackling a different challenge in GI and hepatology, highlighting the growing overlap between medical technology, drug delivery, and digital health. A panel of judges will choose a winner based on clinical impact, market potential, and readiness for adoption.

A sprayable solution for GI bleeding

BioDevek is developing a sprayable endoscopic device designed to control gastrointestinal bleeding and protect injured tissue. The single-use system combines polymer components delivered through an endoscope, allowing physicians to treat bleeding lesions during procedures.

The company is initially targeting non-variceal upper GI bleeding, a common and sometimes difficult-to-control condition. Its approach aims not only to stop bleeding but also to create a protective barrier over the affected area, potentially reducing rebleeding and complications.

BioDevek plans to pursue FDA clearance through the 510(k) pathway and expects adoption among hospitals and ambulatory endoscopy centers. The company also sees broader applications for its material platform, including post-procedure tissue protection and drug delivery at the site of injury.

Long-acting drug delivery for Crohn’s disease

Edulis Therapeutics is focused on improving treatment for Crohn’s disease, particularly stricturing disease. The company has developed an endoscopic drug-delivery system that implants medication directly into the gastrointestinal tract during a routine exam.

The implant is designed to release medication over as long as 12 months, potentially reducing the need for repeated infusions or procedures. Current Crohn’s treatments can be costly and burdensome, and many patients still require surgery.

Edulis is pursuing a combination regulatory pathway that would allow approval of both its delivery device and drug implant. The company believes its platform could extend the effectiveness of existing therapies and improve safety by localizing treatment within the GI tract.

Advanced imaging for cancer surveillance

Lumicell is targeting earlier and more accurate detection of esophageal and gastric cancers. Its imaging platform is designed for use in high-risk surveillance populations, such as patients with Barrett’s esophagus or gastric intestinal metaplasia.

These conditions require regular monitoring, but current approaches can miss early changes. Lumicell’s technology aims to enhance visualization during endoscopy, helping clinicians identify suspicious tissue more reliably.

The company estimates a large and growing market, with more than 1.6 million relevant surveillance procedures performed annually in the US.

AI tools to reduce denied claims

Protego Health is taking a different angle on GI care, focusing on the financial and administrative challenges providers face. According to the company’s executive summary, its platform uses artificial intelligence to validate claims, identify potential denials before submission, and generate appeals.

The system integrates with electronic health records and uses coding rules and payer-specific policies to flag issues in real time. By preventing denials and streamlining appeals, Protego aims to improve revenue cycle management for health care organizations.

While not a clinical tool, the platform addresses a key pain point in GI practices, where reimbursement complexity can affect access to care.

A 'diagnostic-first' platform for GI care navigation

Second Brain Healthcare is developing a digital platform designed to improve how patients with digestive symptoms are diagnosed and treated. The company describes GI care as inefficient, with long wait times, unnecessary referrals, and frequent diagnostic delays.

Its solution uses structured intake and a diagnostic engine to identify likely causes of symptoms and guide patients to appropriate care. The platform also adapts treatment over time, aiming to reduce unnecessary procedures and lower costs.

In early validation studies, the system achieved more than 90% agreement with specialist diagnoses and reduced unnecessary referrals and testing.

Second Brain is initially targeting employers and health plans, positioning its technology as a way to improve outcomes while reducing spending in a high-cost area of healthcare.

A snapshot of GI innovation

For Tech Summit attendees, the value of the Shark Tank competition goes far beyond who wins, Dr. Shah said. Each pitch offers a different lens on how innovation can take shape. Different styles, different strategies, different stages — all unfolding in a way that feels less like a competition and more like a learning experience.

“It’s more about the inspiration than about the winner,” he said.

Dr. Shah also believes future contestants will be sitting in the audience at this year’s meeting.

“Some of the registrants now will be Shark Tank finalists in five years,” he said. “But getting there doesn’t start with having a perfect idea; it starts with showing up. The five-year clock doesn’t start until the day you register to attend.”