Lots of news from ADA Scientific Sessions last month in San Diego plus more.
Jessica Ching gave us her update of the important takeaways:
Medtronic’s Hybrid Closed Loop 670G
- Not quite the godsend we hoped for. Why?
- It’s complicated and frustrating to use
- The sensor takes 2 days to stabilize but only lasts 7 days, so you lose some of the benefit off the top
- When the sensor is confused it will also “kick you out” of closed loop mode. Those are additional days of lost closed loop time
- Thus, your Medtronic closed loop might not work when you really need or want it
- Medtronic needs to ‘work out the kinks’ and make it usable. Probably a couple years down the road
- There’s a wait list for the system if you’re not on the priority list. Note there is also a shortage of Medtronic sensors…
Omnipod lovers, rejoice
- Strong data (good results) on Omnipod’s Horizon artificial pancreas system is coming in. One report shows better results than 670G
- Available ~2019
- The analysts says that Omnipod not being first to market is a benefit; Insulet can learn from other manufacturer’s mistakes
- Slimmer ‘Dash’ PDM + ability to send the PDM’s info to smartphone expected end of 2017
Abbott Libre “FGM”
- This is Flash Glucose Monitoring (vs Continuous Glucose Monitoring)
- Similar, but you ask it for data (instead of it pinging you), and no alarms. But a breeze to use and wear
- Probably must still do blood tests
- Timing: they are saying available end of 2017, but it could be in 2018
Animas
- The Vibe Plus (using G5) was approved by the FDA last year, but Animas is not going to be selling it. Yet. Maybe ever— they haven’t decided
- For those who haven’t heard, it’s possible that Johnson & Johnson will sell the Animas company and get out of the diabetes business
Tandem with G5
- Waiting for approval, but it sounds like it will be soon
- Predicted Low Glucose Suspend feature/model expected around 2018
The Big News at the American Diabetes Association annual conference this past week was about using CGM data to see time spent: Time Spent High, Low, and In Range. Mainstream doctors using CGM will make it a bit easier for us to get equipment and supplies we need. I don’t think there is any end to insurance fights but it more like grease for the CGM wheels.
Read more:
- The latest ADA skinny, with hot CV data from Johnson & Johnson, plus Lilly, Novo and BI
- Insulet to Preview New Clinical Data and Next Generation Omnipod® System
- Positive Omnipod® Horizon™ Hybrid Closed-Loop Study Results in Children
Bigfoot picks Abbott glucose sensor for insulin delivery tech, as reported in the Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2017.
Abbott has struck a deal to combine its FreeStyle Libre glucose sensing technology with Bigfoot Biomedical’s experimental insulin delivery device. The agreement sets Bigfoot up to start a pivotal trial of a version of its delivery system that incorporates the Abbott technology next year.
Next generation Abbott FreeStyle Libre consists of a wearable sensor which gives continuous real-time glucose readings. Bigfoot’s smartphone app will take the glucose data and turn them into insulin dosing recommendations or use them to trigger automatic deliveries from its pump device.
Bigfoot devices trialed to date have incorporated the Dexcom G5 continuous glucose monitoring system. Dexcom and Bigfoot teamed up to combine their technologies in 2015. But with Abbott’s device freeing users from the need to calibrate the sensor with finger pricks, Bigfoot has struck a deal to use the FreeStyle Libre technology in all the insulin delivery systems it sells in the U.S.
Read more: Diabetics can avoid finger pricks with new app from Abbott, Silicon Valley partner
Glooko, Novo Nordisk unveil joint diabetes management app, as reported on FierceBiotech, 14 July 2017.
Back in January, Glooko and Novo Nordisk struck a deal to jointly develop digital products to help people better manage their diabetes. Now, the duo is debuting their first offering—an app that integrates blood glucose and activity data that will also act as a launchpad for further products.
The Cornerstones4Care (C4C) Powered by Glooko app uses Glooko’s digital diabetes management platform to sync blood glucose and activity data from a range of diabetes devices and fitness wearables, the companies said in a statement. The app highlights trends in a patient’s data to help them understand how different factors can affect glucose levels.
While Glooko brings its technology to the table, Novo Nordisk contributes a wealth of diabetes knowledge and its Digital Health Platform, developed in collaboration with IBM Watson. The new app connects patients to content and resources from Cornerstones4Care, Novo’s personalized support program for people with diabetes. The app is available for free to patients enrolled in the program.
Read more: Glooko, Novo Nordisk unveil joint diabetes management app
