Fujifilm Launches New Upper GI Therapeutic Gastroscope, Accelerating Deployment in China's Endoscopic Therapy Market

At the recent Chinese Society of Digestive Endoscopy Annual Meeting in early November, Fujifilm (China) Medical officially unveiled two new upper gastrointestinal therapeutic gastroscopy products—the EG-840T and EG-840TP—marking a critical step in the imaging giant's localization strategy within the endoscopic therapy sector.

Product Focus: Gastroscope System Optimized for Therapeutic Scenarios

Unlike conventional diagnostic gastroscopes, the EG-840T/TP series positions itself as "therapeutic" equipment, specifically optimized for interventional procedures such as ESD/EMR for early upper GI cancers, polypectomy, and stricture dilation. According to on-site materials, the new models achieve upgrades in three core metrics—maneuverability, instrument channel compatibility, and field-of-view stability. Notably, the responsiveness precision and durability of the elevator have been enhanced, allowing surgeons more accurate control when using therapeutic devices like bipolar electrosurgical knives and snares.

Market Signals: Foreign Brands Strengthen "Therapeutic-Grade" Product Lines

This release sends a clear signal: In the digestive endoscopy race, foreign manufacturers are extending their advantage from "diagnostic imaging" toward "therapeutic solutions." Previously, Olympus dominated the ERCP market with its TJF series therapeutic duodenoscopes. Fujifilm's move into upper GI therapy aims to fill a gap in its endoscopy portfolio's "therapeutic end." Worth noting is the product's targeting of China's policy-driven demand for early detection and treatment of digestive tract cancers—per 2025 data from the National Cancer Center, new gastric and esophageal cancer cases account for nearly half of the global total, yet the early-stage treatment rate remains below 15%, creating a massive unmet need for endoscopic minimally invasive therapy.

Industry Observation: Dual Pressure from Technological Upgrades and Domestic Substitution

1. Technological Iteration: 4K ultra-high definition, AI-assisted diagnosis, and multimodal imaging have become standard; therapeutic endoscopes now emphasize the combined capability of "seeing clearly + controlling accurately."
2. Domestic Breakthrough: Local brands like Sonoscape and Aohua Optoelectronics are rapidly gaining penetration. The domestic share has reached 60% in rigid endoscopes, while soft endoscopes—though under 20%—are growing swiftly.
   
   

In this landscape, Fujifilm is consolidating its premium market position through scenario-specific innovation, avoiding price wars with domestic brands on basic diagnostic models. Pricing strategy for the new product has not been announced, but its target users are clearly endoscopy centers in tertiary hospitals and regional medical hubs.

Expert Opinion

Forward-Looking: Competition from Device to Ecosystem

The model of simply selling equipment is no longer sustainable. Fujifilm concurrently showcased its Eluxeo 8000 system (the 4K platform launched in the U.S. in October) and an updated CBI spectral imaging technology at the annual meeting, aiming to build a closed-loop ecosystem of "high-definition imaging + precision therapy + data management." How to synergistically promote the EG-840T series with the Eluxeo platform in the next 6–12 months will likely be key to re-establishing growth in China's endoscopy market.

Conclusion