Creo gains US reimbursement approval for cancer procedure, paving way for wider uptake

Creo Medical Group PLC (AIM:CREO) has secured a key regulatory milestone in the United States that is expected to drive broader use of its flagship cancer treatment tools, following the creation of formal reimbursement codes for a minimally invasive procedure used to remove early-stage tumours.

The American Medical Association has approved two new billing codes covering Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, or ESD, a technique that removes cancerous or precancerous growths from the gastrointestinal tract using an endoscope rather than traditional surgery. One code applies to the upper GI tract, and the other to the lower.

The move gives US healthcare providers a clear framework to bill for the procedure, opening the door for hospitals and clinics to offer ESD to more patients. It also removes a significant financial barrier that has until now limited the adoption of the technique in the United States.

Creo, which is listed on London’s AIM market, said the development would support wider take-up of its Speedboat range of precision instruments, including the recently launched Speedboat UltraSlim and Speedboat Notch.

These tools are designed to allow surgeons to carry out complex procedures with greater control and fewer complications.

"This is a transformative moment for patients, clinicians, and the broader GI community,” said Craig Gulliford, chief executive.

“The AMA’s decision to establish dedicated CPT codes for ESD will help remove barriers to access, enabling broader adoption of this advanced, minimally invasive procedure in the US.”

ESD is already well established in parts of Asia but has been slower to gain traction in the US, partly due to the lack of standardised reimbursement.

It allows doctors to remove lesions without cutting into the abdomen or removing entire sections of the digestive tract, reducing the risk of complications and speeding up recovery.

Creo said it worked alongside medical societies and clinical experts to build an evidence base showing that ESD offers better patient outcomes, with fewer recurrences and shorter hospital stays.

Around 5% to 10% of the 16 million colonoscopies carried out in the US each year involve conditions that could potentially be treated with ESD, according to the company.

The newly approved codes, known as Category I CPT codes, are reserved for procedures that have demonstrated clinical efficacy and are widely performed, representing a significant step forward for the technology.