Bracco, Colowatch Team Up to Expand the Availability of Virtual Colonoscopies

Nov. 20, 2024 — Bracco Diagnostics Inc. and ColoWatch have announced a new partnership to deliver a turnkey solution for imaging facilities to expand the availability of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests using virtual colonoscopy.

Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer at ColoWatch, Dr. Mark Klein said, "With the increased risk of colorectal cancer in younger patients and evidence that screening saves lives, the time to expand access to virtual colonoscopy is now. We are very excited to partner with Bracco, a leader in this field, as we execute our mission to significantly expand the use of virtual colonoscopy for CRC screening and early detection."

According to Senior Director of MR, X-Ray, and Device Marketing at BDI, Noelle Heber, "Our partnership with ColoWatch makes implementing the practice of virtual colonoscopy easier for imaging centers, especially those in underserved communities. With the recent U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommendation that proposes Medicare reimbursement for CRC screening using virtual colonoscopy, radiology can play an even bigger role in saving lives."

Over the last 25 years, virtual colonoscopy has been proven to be a highly accurate, safe, convenient, and cost-effective method of CRC prevention and screening. It can reliably find relevant polyps that are the precursor of CRC while safely confirming the absence of problems in over 90% of those screened.¹ CRC under the age of 50 will increase by 140% by 2030, and only 20% of those aged 45-49 undergo any CRC screening.² 

Co-founder and CEO of ColoWatch, Bikram Bakshi said, "Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that is highly preventable. And yet, there is still a significant population that unfortunately goes unscreened. Widespread implementation of virtual colonoscopies has the potential to save thousands of lives in the United States alone and generate extensive cost-savings for the healthcare system annually. We are proud to partner with Bracco to expand access of this highly important practice and reach more patients who can benefit."

To learn more, visit www.colowatch.com and www.bracco.com.

¹ Pickhardt PJ et al. Computed Tomographic virtual colonoscopy to Screen for Colorectal Neoplasia in Asymptomatic Adults. N Eng J Med, 2003;349:2191-2200

² American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025. Available here. Accessed November 14, 2024.