Loop and Learn started off our 2022 T1D Speaker Series with a great chat with Erik Huneker, CEO and Co-Founder of Diabeloop, Sunday, 16 January 2022. If you haven’t heard about Diabeloop yet, here’s the scoop. It is currently approved in the EU and we are all anxiously and optimistically waiting for the US FDA to approve this innovative technology.
Diabeloop is a self-learning algorithm that automates and personalizes the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. In the world of emerging automated insulin delivery systems for diabetes, Diabeloop, headquartered in Grenoble, France, stands out for its design work primarily because they work on their designs with input from the people who actually use their products.
Company leaders worked directly with people with diabetes (PWDs) in the DIY #WeAreNotWaiting community to create a more customizable, practical system instead of the usual “engineering-driven” devices we’re used to. THIS IS UNIQUE as they ACTUALLY engaged with and listened to USERS who demand the best and most adaptable technologies.
They’ve incorporated features such as “Zen Mode” feature for a temporary increase of the target glycemia and “Privacy Mode” to silence alerts.
Diabeloop represents the new model of INTEROPERABILITY, allowing you to choose your pump and your CGM. This should be the standard!
Erik Huneker, an engineer who graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique, is a tech and science enthusiast and had been working in the medical device industry. In 2015, he founded Diabeloop with Dr. Guillaume Charpentier, a diabetologist and Chief Medical Officer of the company. Since 2016, he has co-managed Diabeloop with Marc Julien, who graduated from INSEAD and has over 25 years of experience in consulting, investment and entrepreneurship.
I agree INTEROPERABILITY, should be standard for all manufacturers and distributors.
I love this! I am fascinated by machine-learning applied to bg control plus the union of engineering with biosciences. If I was developing my career today I would go into Biomedical Engineering or the field of Bioinformatics. The concept of applying engineering concepts to medicine brings to mind Dr. Bernstein who as an engineer and a diabetic appreciated the benefit of blood glucose meters, back before they were available for consumers. In some ways the DIY movement is made of similar individuals with various technical skills and deal with T1 but, because they are not doctors, but can see beyond traditional approaches.