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Beta Bionics files for IPO
Beta Bionics, developer of an automated insulin delivery system called i-Let
and known as the 'bionic pancreas', has recently filed for an initial public
offering. The company has not disclosed the number of shares it will offer or
the price range. Beta Bionics plans for its shares to be listed on the Nasdaq
under the ticker symbol "BBNX."
The Irvine, California-based company makes an insulin pump called the
iLet Bionic Pancreas, which was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration
in 2023. Beta Bionics plans to use the proceeds to grow its sales and
manufacturing infrastructure and develop new features for its device.
Dexcom Stelo sensor
Dexcom's CEO Kevin Sayer has shared new data on the
company's first over-the-counter glucose sensor at the
recent J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in America
earlier in January.
Stelo, an over-the-counter glucose monitor for people
with Type 2 diabetes who don't take insulin, was launched
in August 2024 and had about 140,000 users by the end of
the year. The US Food and Drug Administration cleared
the device to make it available for adults with prediabetes
or for general wellness purposes. Sayer told MedTech
Dive that Dexcom initially saw more Stelo purchases from
health and wellness users "because these people wanted
it really bad," before seeing more uptake from people with
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
Sayer said having a 15-day sensor is important because
users and physicians prefer a longer wear time, and it
reduces Dexcom's cost of goods. Currently, Dexcom's G7 is
indicated for a ten-day wear time.
As for Stelo, Sayer said a partnership with Ōura, the
maker of a smart ring, will allow users to bring sleep data
to the platform. Dexcom also plans to add integrations
with meal-tracking apps such as MyFitnessPal in response
to user feedback.
In addition, the company has begun work on a nextgeneration
CGM. Sayer said the sensor will be smaller, less
expensive and include better electronics. Dexcom is also
studying new sensor probes, one of which can support
multiple analytes, such as measuring lactate or ketones in
addition to insulin.
www.dexcom.com/uk
Medtronic's growth
drivers
New technologies for atrial fibrillation,
hypertension, diabetes and neurological conditions
are poised for fast growth, said Medtronic's
CEO Geoff Martha at the recent J.P. Morgan
Healthcare Conference in the USA.
Five years ago, Medtronic executives set out
to change the company culture and prioritise
financial performance alongside innovation.
The medtech giant centralised operations to
lower costs, brought in new leaders and added
performance incentives to hasten the culture
shift. Capital and human resources were allocated
to areas of medtech with the highest growth
potential. As result, Martha has told investors
that the company's product pipeline is now wellpositioned
to drive improved earnings.
Medtronic's biggest businesses, which
include cardiac rhythm management, spine and
transcatheter heart valves, are "growing well,"
the CEO said, "and then we're stacking growth
drivers on top of growth drivers" in fast-developing
medtech markets. Medtronic executives also
outlined four categories where the company
expects the highest growth from new products in
the near term: cardiac ablation, renal denervation,
neuromodulation and automated insulin delivery
systems for diabetes management.
www.medtronic/uk