Switzerland-based PharmaSens develops the Niia Essential insulin patch pump system. The basal-bolus patch pump combines the ease of an insulin pen with the advantages of a sophisticated pump. The company submitted the pump to the FDA at the end of 2023 but has not yet announced any approval in the U.S.
China-based SiBionics, meanwhile, develops continuous glucose monitor (CGM) technology, including the GS3 CGM. The company unveiled its CE-marked GS3 earlier this year. It touts the ultra-compact device as the world’s thinnest CGM at the size of a small coin.
Together, the companies aim to jointly develop the next-generation Niia Signature insulin patch pump. The all-in-one wearable device would integrate insulin delivery and glucose sensing into a single, compact automated patch pump system. Existing pump systems on the market that are similar — like the leading Insulet Omnipod platform. — offer automated insulin delivery by pairing a pump with a CGM.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone toward realizing our vision of a fully integrated, discreet, and intuitive insulin-therapy system,” said Marcel Both, PharmaSens CEO. “SiBionics’ proven expertise in sensor technology is a perfect complement to our platform.”
Insulet currently leads the market, which also has expected entries from Medtronic, Tandem Diabetes Care and Beta Bionics.
Luna Diabetes last year launched a pivotal trial for its automated patch pump system, while U-Pump announced progress with its own system. Modular Medical offers its own patch pump that isn’t automated, and Embecta won an FDA nod for its own open-loop patch pump, but discontinued the program not long after.
