Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Ypsomed (SWX:YPSN) are teaming up to create an automated insulin delivery system. Lilly would commercialize the device, which would incorporate an insulin pump from Ypsomed.
Burgdorf, Switzerland-based Ypsomed launched its Mylife YpsoPump in Europe in 2016. Now available in 21 countries, the pump includes a touch screen.
Lilly plans on commercializing a version of this pump in tandem with a continuous glucose monitor to automate insulin delivery in the U.S. and Europe. The pump would use Lilly’s cartridges containing rapid-acting insulins.
While some companies refer to such automated technology as an “artificial pancreas,” Lilly opts for the phrase “automated insulin delivery system” to describe the connected devices that adjust a person’s insulin dosing based on continuous analysis and their glucose readings.
“Our goal is to simplify diabetes management and develop the best possible solutions by pairing our deep expertise in insulin with other companies,” said a Lilly spokesperson. “We believe that the flexibility and convenience of Ypsomed’s insulin pump will help improve outcomes in people with diabetes and our collaboration with Ypsomed also focuses on Ypsomed’s automated insulin delivery technology.”
In particular, Lilly anticipates that the technology can help people with diabetes optimize blood sugar control, time in range, A1C levels and other variables. “Our collaboration with Ypsomed highlights our continued progress toward a holistic solution for diabetes management,” the Lilly spokesperson added.
Ypsomed signed a similar deal with Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) in 2016 to use the YpsoPump with Novo Nordisk’s NovoRapid PumpCart.
Ypsomed hopes to win FDA permission to use the YpsoPump for automated insulin delivery in 2022. Lilly would have exclusive rights to commercialize the pump in the U.S.
“Our goal is to support people living with diabetes through app-centric insulin management, CGM data and advanced algorithms,” said Simon Michel, Ypsomed CEO, in a statement.
