FDA approves Abbott’s Lingo and Libre Rio glucose monitoring systems by Archana Rani for MedicalDevice-Network.com, June 2024.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Abbott’s Lingo and Libre Rio over-the-counter continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.  These systems are designed for health improvement and type 2 diabetes management and are based on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre sensing technology. The Lingo system is aimed at consumers aged 18 and older who seek to enhance their health and wellness.

It tracks glucose levels, offering personalized insights and coaching to promote healthy habits and metabolic improvement.  The system includes a biosensor worn on the arm for a period of 14 days, providing continuous glucose data to a smartphone application. This provides insights on the user’s reaction to exercise, food, and life’s daily stressors.   

Abbott medical devices business executive vice-president and group president Lisa Earnhardt said: “There is no one-size-fits-all approach for glucose monitoring, which is why we’ve designed different products for different people – all based on the same world-leading biowearable technology.

Read more: FDA approves Abbott’s Lingo and Libre Rio glucose monitoring systems

Oral insulin drops offer needle-free alternative for diabetes management from the University of British Columbia, reported by News-Medical.net, 5 June 2024

Researchers at the Li Lab have developed oral insulin drops that when placed under the tongue are quickly and efficiently absorbed by the body, potentially replacing the need for insulin injections. The drops contain a mixture of insulin and a unique cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) developed by Dr. Shyh-Dar Li and colleagues. The peptide, sourced from fish byproducts, opens a pathway for insulin to cross over.

Pre-clinical tests showed that insulin with the peptide effectively reaches the bloodstream whereas, without the peptide, insulin remains stuck in the inside lining of the mouth.  “Think of it as a guide that helps insulin navigate through a maze to reach the bloodstream quickly. This guide finds the best routes, making it easier for insulin to get where it needs to go,” said Dr. Jiamin Wu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Li Lab.

Two versions of the peptide are described in recent articles in the Journal of Controlled Release. The UBC team is working to license the technology to a commercial partner.

Read more: Oral insulin drops offer needle-free alternative for diabetes management

How close are we to glucose-responsive insulin? podcast by DiabetesConnections with Stacey Simms, Diabetes-Connections.com, 

We’ve been hearing about smart insulin for a long time. This refers to an insulin that would react to glucose levels and adjust by itself with no external device, like a CGM, needed. You’d inject and let the insulin do the work.

I’m talking to Sensulin CEO Mike Moradi about where their version of this amazing-sounding technology stands, his family connections that feed his passion here, and what has to happen to get glucose-responsive insulin into the hands of people who could benefit.

Diabetes biotech stock tanks as FDA imposes full clinical hold by Nick Paul Taylor for FierceBioTech.com, 7 June 2024.

Biomea Fusion has suffered another dramatic stock drop, with investors sending the share price down 60% after the FDA imposed a full clinical hold on its diabetes program over liver toxicity concerns. The candidate, BMF-219, is designed to stop the menin protein from participating in a process that blocks the replication and expansion of beta cells. In preclinical tests, the molecule improved beta cell mass, leading Biomea to advance into studies in Type 1 and 2 diabetes. The mechanism is theoretically complementary to other ways of treating diabetes. 

However, the FDA has spotted a potential problem. The agency identified possible drug-induced liver damage in Type 2 diabetes patients treated in the dose-escalation portion of Biomea’s phase 1/2 study. In response, the FDA put the study and a trial in patients with Type 1 diabetes on full clinical hold.

“We are fully collaborating and working diligently with the FDA to put a plan in place as quickly as possible to ensure patient safety and look forward to resuming the studies once we have authorization from the FDA,” Biomea CEO Thomas Butler said in a statement. “Based on the totality of the safety and efficacy data for BMF-219 in diabetes to date, we remain committed to advancing BMF-219.”

Read more: Diabetes biotech stock tanks as FDA imposes full clinical hold

Hydration Hacks for Diabetes: Why Hydration Helps Lower Blood Sugars by Mila Clark for HangryWoman.com, 13 June 2024.

Hydration is a fundamental aspect of maintaining overall health. It helps regulate body temperature, keeps joints lubricated, prevents infections, and ensures that organs function properly.  But did you know that staying hydrated is particularly important for managing diabetes?  Staying hydrated helps to maintain a balance in your blood sugar levels, supports kidney function, and aids in the elimination of excess glucose through urine.

How can you ensure you’re staying properly hydrated? Water is, of course, the best option, but there are plenty of other ways to keep hydrated. Herbal teas, infused waters, and low-sugar electrolyte drinks can also contribute to your daily hydration needs. Foods with high water content, like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges, are excellent choices as well.

Hydration Tips and Tools: Here are some practical tips and tools to help you stay on top of your hydration game:

• • • • Set a Hydration Goal: Aim to drink a certain amount of water each day. Aim for eight, 8-ounce glasses.
      • Use a Water Bottle with Measurements.
      • Create a Schedule: Drink a glass of water at regular intervals throughout the day.
      • Monitor Your Urine: A light yellow color typically indicates proper hydration, while darker shades can signal the need for more fluids.
      • Incorporate Hydrating Foods: Add fruits and vegetables with high water content.

Read more:  Hydration Hacks for Diabetes: Why Hydration Helps Lower Blood Sugars

How To Navigate CGM Insurance Coverage by April Hopcroft for diaTribe.org, 28 May 2024.

A challenge awaits: Navigating insurance coverage …

• • • Verify your CGM coverage and costs with your insurance plan and healthcare provider. Use the ADCES tool for detailed coverage information.
    • Medicare provides broad CGM coverage with some out-of-pocket costs. Medicaid coverage varies by state. People who are on both Medicare and Medicaid have no out-of-pocket expenses.
    • Most commercial insurers cover CGMs for type 1 diabetes and for people with 2 diabetes on multiple daily injections or insulin pumps. Coverage specifics vary by insurer and state.

Read more: How To Navigate CGM Insurance Coverage

The Troubling Trend of Exploitative Diabetes Products and Putting Profit Over Patients by Theresa Hastings for IntergratedDiabetes.com, 11 June 2024.  This is a great opinion piece.

A myriad of devices and tools flood the market, promising to make our lives easier. Yet, behind the glossy marketing lies a troubling trend: The core issue lies in a fundamental lack of understanding of diabetes and its intricacies. It’s not just about keeping insulin refrigerated; it’s about understanding how insulin behaves and what truly impacts its efficacy. Insulin doesn’t simply spoil the moment it’s not refrigerated; rather, it’s susceptible to temperature extremes, both high and low. This means that a $200 portable refrigerator isn’t the solution we need—it’s a fix for a problem that doesn’t actually exist.

What we truly need is recognition of the nuanced challenges we face and solutions that address them effectively. For instance, simple practices like keeping insulin out of direct sunlight and ensuring it’s stored in a cool, shaded place can often suffice. These aren’t revolutionary insights; they’re basic principles that many of us have learned through lived experience.

Yet, instead of amplifying these practical solutions, companies see dollar signs at the opportunity to capitalize on fear and misinformation, peddling unnecessary products at exorbitant prices. It’s a disheartening reality—one that speaks to the larger issue of profit-driven exploitation within the healthcare industry.

The most important first step is to empower ourselves with knowledge. By learning from each other and trustworthy experts, we can discern between genuine advancements and superficial gimmicks. Education and knowledge are our greatest weapons against exploitation.

We must also expect accountability from these companies. It’s not enough for them to superficially glance at our struggles and develop products that miss the mark. If they are worth giving our money to, they must elevate the voices of the diabetes community, listen to our wants and needs, and develop truly beneficial solutions, even if it means they don’t create a product to sell.

Ultimately, the issue at hand isn’t just about a single company or product—it’s about a broader pattern of exploitation within the healthcare landscape. Diabetes innovation should be led by our voices rather than our wallets.

Read more: Exploitative Diabetes Products and Putting Profit Over Patients

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