Abbott (NYSE:ABT) and Dexcom (NSDQ:DXCM) each announced today that they are partnering with Insulet (NSDQ:PODD) to feed blood glucose monitor data into an automated insulin delivery system.
For Acton, Mass.–based Insulet, the agreements are a boost for its next-generation Omnipod Horizon automated insulin delivery system, which is presently an investigational device in the United States. The idea of an “artificial pancreas” — using continuous glucose monitor data to automate insulin delivery — has been a holy grail of sorts when it comes to diabetes treatment.
Other companies competing in the space include medical device giant Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) and its MiniMed series insulin pumps — as well as upstarts such as Bigfoot Biomedical, which has received millions of dollars through a partnership with Abbott.
The agreement with Abbott is slated to see the Abbott Park, Ill.-based company integrate its FreeStyle Libre system’s sensor data with the Omnipod Horizon system through a pay-as-you-go model.
The new integrated platform is designed to send glucose data from the FreeStyle Libre sensor to the Omnipod Horizon that is embedded with an algorithm to adjust insulin delivery without the need for an additional device, connection or tubing. The platform can be controlled through a smartphone app to manually dose insulin or bolus before meals. Abbott touts the platform as potentially the first combined system with a fully disposable wearable sensor and pump.
“Abbott is focused on creating future-forward health technologies that simplify how people living with diabetes manage their condition so they can live their best lives,” Abbott senior VP of diabetes care Jared Watkin said in a news release. “Through this partnership, Abbott and Insulet will offer an integrated digital health platform that is simple and accurate and will provide a best-in-class user experience.”
“This collaboration furthers our shared vision to help our consumers put diabetes in the background, so they have more freedom to enjoy life,” added Insulet president & CEO Shacey Petrovic.
DexCom’s partnership with Insulet will pair the Omnipod Horizon with Dexcom’s G6 and next-generation G7 CGM systems to predict glucose levels into the future and automatically adjust the insulin dose required to reduce blood glucose highs and lows.
San Diego–based Dexcom’s Follow mobile app is slated to be part of the integration of the platforms, offering real-time CGM data sharing with up to 10 followers for users of the app. According to a news release, the integrated platform will also provide the current benefits of Omnipod’s system, including three days of non-stop insulin delivery.
“Everyone at Dexcom is excited to be in the final stages of integrating Dexcom CGM technology into the Omnipod Horizon system,” Dexcom executive chairman, president & CEO Kevin Sayer said in the release. “This system will bring together the demonstrated accuracy of Dexcom CGM with Omnipod’s tubeless insulin delivery pod which provides a simple user experience and freedom from injections and tubes.”
“This agreement with Dexcom represents an incredible milestone for our two organizations in realizing the benefits of interoperability,” added Petrovic. “The ability to integrate with new innovation efficiently will offer consumers the latest and greatest in Pod and sensor technology while providing the freedom of choice so they can live life to the fullest.”
