Latest News & Views in Diabetes Technology

One educator’s “lessons learned” on working with new technology and upgrades.

The FDA has cleared the iLet Bionic Pancreas system for patients aged 6 and older with type 1 diabetes. The pocket-sized system includes the Beta Bionics iLet ACE pump and the iLet Dosing Decision Software, along with an integrated continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The FDA's decision was based on the system's Breakthrough Device Designation and aims to provide the type 1 diabetes community with more options for diabetes management. The system is easy to initiate, as it only requires the patient's body weight for insulin dosing and does not need manual adjustments. It features a meal announcement feature that estimates carb consumption, removing the need for traditional carb counting. The system demonstrated its efficacy in a pivotal trial, showing improved HbA1c levels and increased time spent in the target glucose range.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) has released the 2023 Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm to guide healthcare professionals in clinical decision-making for the management of Type 2 diabetes. The updated algorithm emphasizes a person-centered approach to care, incorporating the latest evidence-based recommendations, associated conditions, complications, and health equity. Key elements include lifestyle modification and treatment of overweight and obesity, treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, and immunization recommendations for people with T2D.

Insulet Corporation has announced the FDA clearance of its latest innovation, Omnipod GO, an insulin delivery device cleared for use for people with type 2 diabetes age 18 or older who would typically take daily injections of long-acting insulin. Omnipod GO is a standalone, wearable, insulin delivery system that provides a fixed rate of continuous rapid-acting insulin for 72 hours. The newest addition to the Omnipod brand features a tubeless and waterproof Pod which is offered in seven different pre-programmed daily rates, ranging from 10 to 40 units per day, and operates without the need for a handheld device to control the Pod. The product was developed as an alternative to daily injections. Insulet plans to commercialize Omnipod GO in the United States in 2024.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) and Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMPH) have entered into a definitive agreement for Lilly to divest BAQSIMI worldwide to Amphastar, a global pharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing, and marketing injectable, intranasal, and inhalation products including experience with a glucagon product. BAQSIMI is the first and only nasally administered glucagon for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. Amphastar expects to provide dedicated commercial investment for BAQSIMI with the goal of enabling more people on insulin to be prepared with a glucagon rescue treatment for severe hypoglycemia.