Paris-based Diabeloop, which develops therapeutic artificial intelligence (AI) applied to insulin delivery, and SOOIL will pursue and expand upon technical integration between their platforms, building on cooperation that was initiated in February 2020.
According to a news release, the companies in 2020 launched a large clinical study of 184 patients using Diabeloop’s DBLG1 i-controller and SOOIL’s Dana-i ACE pump. That study was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic soon thereafter, but the two companies have continued with their product development since.
The partnership will pursue the technical integration of the Dana-i ACE pump within the DBLG1 system as the entry point of the collaboration.
“We are addressing a fast-moving market, asking us to make constant adaptations. Our products have received outstanding feedback from patients and doctors alike, while demonstrating fast growth across Europe,” Diabeloop CEO and co-founder Erik Huneker said in the release. “Our reinforced partnership with SOOIL Development Company is one of the ways to make our products available to patients beyond Europe. These agreements offer high-potential perspectives and a promising international collaboration for our two companies.”
The partnership aims to help the companies enter the American market with an approved automated insulin delivery solution. The companies said a clinical trial will be performed to meet the requirements of the FDA.
Diabeloop and SOOIL also intend to make the DBLG1 system with the Dana-i pump available in the European market, with obtaining CE mark approval representing the first step.
They also aim to target their home markets, with Diabeloop seeking reimbursement for the DBLG1 hybrid closed-loop system with Dana-i in France and, in Korea, Diabeloop and SOOIL will look to garner approval from the Korean FDA. The two companies also said they are considering further opportunities to expand their partnership with new innovative products and additional geographic areas of distribution.
“SOOIL Development Co Limited has the longest history – 42 years of proudly manufacturing insulin pumps, leading technology and bringing joy to people with diabetes,” SOOIL owner and founder Soo Bong Choi said. “Dana insulin pumps are intended for interoperability and this collaboration with Diabeloop will help provide people affected by diabetes more options and choice.”
