24KIT
Joining forces
Abbott, Ypsomed and CamDiab are joining forces in
the UK to offer a hybrid closed loop (HCL) system.
The first hybrid closed loop
system to work with Abbott's
FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor
is now available in the UK.
This hybrid closed loop system
incorporates technology available on
the NHS from three leading providers
of diabetes technology: CamDiab's
Android app algorithm automatically
adjusts insulin dosage on Ypsomed's
insulin pump, based on glucose
information from a FreeStyle Libre 3
sensor from Abbott.
The National Institute for
Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
recommended the use of hybrid
closed loop systems in draft guidance
published in January 2023 - final
guidance due to be published
this summer.
Combined, these technologies
form an intelligent process to deliver
insulin based on real-time glucose
data via an automated insulin
delivery system (AID), designed
to help people living with Type 1
diabetes improve how they manage
their condition on a daily basis.
A hybrid closed loop system
works by continuously monitoring a
person with diabetes' glucose levels
based on readings from the glucose
sensor with an algorithm in the app
to calculate and deliver the right
amount of insulin as needed. This
removes much of the guesswork of
insulin dosing and generally improves
health outcomes by helping those
living with Type 1 diabetes to better
reach treatment targets, while
improving their quality of life too.
Free and easy
The draft guidance published by
NICE in January recommended the
use of hybrid closed loop systems
for people with Type 1 diabetes.
Abbott's FreeStyle Libre systems are
the UK's most widely used glucose
sensing technology. The FreeStyle
Libre 3 (FSL3) sensors are currently
the smallest, thinnest and most
discreet and last for up to 14 days.
This version of the sensor range is
part of the portfolio that has changed
the lives of more than 4.5m people in
more than 60 countries, by providing
breakthrough technology that is
accessible and affordable.
Various groups and persons
who have been involved in getting
access to diabetes technology have
commented on this news. Professor
Partha S. Kar, OBE, national specialty
advisor, diabetes at NHS England
has said: "It is wonderful to see the
coming together of Ypsomed's mylife
YpsoPump, CamAPX FX algorithm
and Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor
into a hybrid closed loop system
creating exciting opportunities for
people living with Type 1 diabetes.
This type of advanced technology
has the potential to change people's
lives for the better, so I'm pleased
to see companies continue to
innovate and bring functionality
like this together, to allow for
broader choice for patients and
healthcare professionals."