Corey A. Siegel, MD, and Joshua R. Korzenik, MD, have developed a new bar and beverage line to help ease the colonoscopy prep process for patients, according to the Boston Business Journal.
Here are six things to know:
1. Dr. Siegel and Dr. Korzenik developed this line in response to the growing problem of patients purposely avoiding colonoscopies because they dread the prep process.
2. The two physicians created the Newton, Conn.-based startup ColonaryConcepts and partnered with Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts in Providence, R.I., to further develop the food- and beverage-based colonoscopy prep option.
3. To date, ColonaryConcepts has completed two clinical trials with patients to move toward FDA approval. The latest trial involved 65 patients and showed the product line successfully cleaned the colon for a colonoscopy in 90 percent of patients.
4. ColonaryConcepts has so far raised $12.5 million from private investors.
5. The company plans to begin a Phase III clinical trial at the end of 2016, but will likely have to raise another $15 million to $20 million to complete the trial.
6. The company hopes to have the colonoscopy prep option available on the market by 2018.