The 5 most-read Drug Delivery Business News stories of 2024

There has been no shortage of news across the diabetes and drug delivery markets over the course of 2024. At Drug Delivery Business News, we’ve tried to cover it all.

From product launches to major regulatory nods — with significant partnerships and integrations in between — diabetes technology particularly dominated the news over the last 12 months.

Here are the five most-read stories published on Drug Delivery Business News this year:

1. Abbott brings over-the-counter CGM to market

Abbott received FDA clearance for Lingo and its Libre Rio over-the-counter (OTC) continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in June.

Lingo features a biosensor and mobile app designed for customers who want to improve their overall health and wellness. The company built Lingo on its FreeStyle Libre CGM technology platform.

Lingo, a consumer biowearable, is available for consumers 18 years and older not on insulin. It tracks glucose in real-time and provides personal insights and coaching. Abbott designed it to help people build healthy habits, retain their metabolism and improve their overall wellbeing.

The company launched Lingo in early September, highlighting the industry’s move beyond prescription CGMs, as Dexcom also launched its own Stelo OTC CGM the week before.

(Abbott Diabetes SVP of Commercial Operations Chris Scoggins spoke to Drug Delivery Business News in June and explained the benefits of OTC CGMs. READ HERE)

2. Roche unveils AI-powered CGM

In an event at the Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) conference earlier this year, Switzerland-based Roche unveiled its Accu-Chek SmartGuide CGM technology.

Accu-Chek SmartGuide features a 14-day wear time, a one-step application process and watertight properties. The device utilizes predictive AI to provide glucose predictions showing estimated developments for different timeframes. Based on the CGM data, the system’s app shows where glucose levels might go in the next two hours.

The company designed the CGM to address the critical unmet needs associated with managing diabetes and glycemic targets. Every five minutes, the CGM sensor sends glucose values measured in real time to an application. The predictive app then utilizes those values and other available information to detect patterns and predict future glucose levels.

Integrated AI helps to indicate hypoglycemia risk within the next 30 minutes. It also helps to forecast low glucose levels and estimate the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia.

Roche went on to win CE mark for Accu-Chek SmartGuide in July.

3. Dexcom launches direct-to-watch feature

In addition to some significant product launches for Dexcom, such as its Stelo OTC CGM, compatibility with smart rings, generative AI for CGM, the company caught our readers’ attention with the launch of a direct-to-watch feature for its CGM technology.

This means G7 soon becomes the only CGM system that can connect directly to Apple Watch without needing to carry an iPhone. Those who use G7 can access this feature as soon as it launches in their country.

In the same article, we covered more news from Dexcom — positive data backing its CGMs and their connectivity to automated insulin delivery (AID) and the launch of Dexcom ONE+ in new geographies.

Studies looking at Dexcom CGM with the Insulet Omnipod 5 and Tandem Diabetes Care t:slim X2 pumps highlighted glycaemic outcome improvements and lower rates for hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, respectively. Meanwhile, Dexcom began the ONE+ launch in Europe, saying the system has now launched in eight markets within one month of first becoming available.

4. Medtronic and Abbott ink diabetes partnership

Two of the biggest names in medtech in general, not just diabetes, joined forces in August, and readers certainly took notice. Abbott and Medtronic announced a partnership arranging for Abbott to develop a CGM sensor and for Medtronic to sell it. This prospective sensor works exclusively with Medtronic devices.

The sensor is based on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre platform and pairs with Medtronic’s automated insulin delivery technology (the latest generation being the MiniMed 780G) and smart insulin pen systems, such as the InPen system. Medtronic’s systems previously used its own CGMs, such as the Guardian 4 and the Simplera platform, and the company intends to continue using those systems as part of a comprehensive CGM portfolio.

Jared Watkin, EVP of Abbott Diabetes Care, said the partnership “pairs two global leaders in glucose sensing technology and insulin delivery.”

“Our partnership with Abbott allows us to expand access to our advanced automated insulin delivery and smart [multiple daily injection] systems that deliver best-in-class outcomes with the most widely used CGM in the world,” said Que Dallara, EVP and president, Medtronic Diabetes.

5. Tandem Diabetes Care launches new miniature insulin pump

Mobi first captured attention in 2023, when the FDA cleared the miniature insulin pump for people with diabetes ages six and up in July 2023. It made headlines again in February when Tandem launched it in the U.S., marking the rollout of the world’s smallest durable automated insulin delivery (AID) system.

Mobi features a 200-unit insulin cartridge and an on-pump button to provide an alternative to phone control for insulin boluses. It comes in at less than half the size of the existing Tandem pump system, the t:slim X2 pump. Mobi can fit in a coin pocket, clip to clothing or go on the body with an adhesive sleeve.

The system has the same Control-IQ technology that powers the established t:slim X2. Control-IQ, an advanced hybrid closed-loop automated insulin delivery feature, predicts and helps prevent high and low blood sugar. It leads to an improved time range throughout the day and night.

“With this launch, we are executing on our strategy to offer a differentiated portfolio of durable insulin pumps, providing choice, along with new options in wearability,” said John Sheridan, Tandem president and CEO.

Here are the top medtech stories of 2024>>