22KIT
Gleaning insights
The trend for using sensors for gleaning insights into our
health shows absolutely no signs of stopping. This is a
brief update, in alphabetical order by company name.
Abbott
Abbott plans to offer updated FreeStyle Libre 2 and Libre
3 sensors in the US later this year, replacing its current
systems. These are already available in the UK.
Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems include
an insulin pump that communicates with a continuous
glucose monitor, which can adjust the amount of insulin
administered to a user based on real-time glucose data.
However, while Abbott sees the opportunity in serving
new patients, others do not expect a material change in
CGM demand for either Abbott or its competitor Dexcom,
partly because AID systems are primarily used by people
with Type 1 diabetes, and are already used by more than
half of the US market. Most of the future growth for
CGMs in the US is expected to come from people with
Type 2 diabetes who use insulin. As such, the recent
announcement may be more impactful for AID players
such as Tandem and Insulet, as Abbott's reach and market
share - particularly internationally - could benefit
these companies.
The company is currently working with insulin-pump
makers Insulet and Tandem for future integrations. In
Germany, the Libre 3 sensor is authorized to work with
the mylife Loop solution made by Ypsomed and the
CamAPS app, with future launches planned in the UK,
Switzerland and the Netherlands.
www.freestyle-libre.co.uk
Afon Technology
Afon Technology has been awarded a €2.4m grant
from the European Innovation Council. The company is
commercialising a wearable, non-invasive blood glucose
monitor to benefit people with diabetes, wherever they
may be. Based on proven and patented technology, the
company has created a non-invasive, real-time and
continuous glucose sensor that will empower people with
diabetes in self-management and provide their clinicians
with a history of their blood glucose variations.
The compact device is designed to be worn with a
watchstrap and connected via Bluetooth to the user's
smart watch/device. The device created gives individuals'
freedom from the constraints of conventional (some
would now say old-fashioned) 'finger-stick' devices. Sabih
Chaudhry, CEO of Afon Technology has commented, "We
are delighted to have secured other private funds as well
as the EIC grant. This will power the company forward
as we pursue the development and clinical trials of the
device. The technology is proving reliable and accurate in
our initial trials, and we are excited by these results."
www.afontechnology.com
Veri
A relatively new kid on the block, thought we did report
on it in the January 2023 issue of this magazine Veri is a
US-based subscription service that uses a sensor and an
app to help users understand how to effectively stabilize
your blood sugar in a healthy, sustainable way. It is
available in the UK and certain other European countries.
Can be used by anyone to help to reverse insulin
resistance, lose weight, and potentially even extend their
healthspan, says the company. They believe that use of
a CGM alone is 'often an unreliable tool because the raw
data lacks meaning, insights, and guidance.' Hence, they
have created the Veri Method where they counsel you to
'listen to your body' and to 'take back control'.
www.veri.co