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Topic: Capsule Endoscopy: Development Status and Future Expectations

Prof. Jean-François Rey

Hepato-Gastroenterology Department, Institut Arnault Tzanck, St. Laurent du
Var, France.
Email: jean-francois.rey@orange.fr

Dr. Rey is a distinguished gastroenterologist and endoscopist based at the
Institute Arnault Tzanck in Saint Laurent du Var, France. He graduated from
Marseille University in 1978 and completed his internship at Nice University
under the mentorship of Prof. Delmont. He further honed his expertise as a
clinical assistant at the Bristol Royal Infirmary under Prof. A. Read. Dr. Rey
also dedicated two years to basic research as a “Chargé de recherche” at the
French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) before
establishing a specialized GI unit focused on digestive endoscopy at the Institute Arnault Tzanck.

Since 1974, Dr. Rey has been at the forefront of endoscopic innovation, developing expertise in ERCP with
foundational guidance from Prof. I. Oi of Japan. He played a pivotal role in introducing electronic digestive
endoscopy and later, enhanced endoscopic imaging technologies. He actively contributed to the Paris
Classification Committee led by Prof. S. Kudo and Dr. R. Lambert. In 2004, he expanded his pioneering
work to capsule endoscopy, collaborating with Japanese colleagues to conduct the first human clinical trial
of magnetically guided gastric capsules in Saint Laurent du Var.

Beyond his medical achievements, Dr. Rey has been deeply involved in the French healthcare system, serving
as Chairman of the Private Subspecialties Committee for 12 years. In recognition of his contributions, he
was awarded the highest French honor, the “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur” personally presented by the
French Minister of Health.

Dr. Rey’s leadership extends to the global stage. He has served as President of the French Society of
Digestive Endoscopy (SFED), the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), and the World
Endoscopy Organization (WEO), where he led the organization of the ENDO 2020 World Congress in Rio
de Janeiro. His international recognition includes being named an ASGE Fellow in 2007, an AGA Fellow
in 2010, and receiving the “International Honorary Member” award from the Japan Gastroenterological
Endoscopy Society (JGES) in 2018.