Diabetes Tech Breakthroughs

Summary

Dexcom’s new 15-day continuous glucose monitor (CGM) boasts 8% MARD, making it the most accurate CGM available. Tandem Diabetes Care’s Control-IQ+ automated insulin delivery system gains FDA clearance for Type 2 diabetes, following a successful pivotal trial. These advancements promise improved diabetes management and quality of life for patients.

See how TrueNAS offers real-time support for healthcare data managers.

** Main Story**

Diabetes tech is really taking off, isn’t it? We’re seeing some seriously impressive advancements that could change the game for millions living with diabetes. Let’s dive into the latest news, because there’s a lot to unpack. Two major players, Dexcom and Tandem Diabetes Care, are making waves with their new innovations. Both companies presented their latest advancements at the 18th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) in Amsterdam. Dexcom announced integrations of its G7 CGM with Novo Nordisk’s smart insulin pens and other insulin delivery systems, which could mean consolidating glucose and insulin data within a single app. Plus, there’s this Dexcom report highlighting that more healthcare professionals are favouring CGM tech and education when it comes to managing Type 2 diabetes, over medication. Exciting stuff.

Dexcom’s 15-Day CGM: Accuracy and Convenience Combined

So, Dexcom’s new 15-day CGM. Imagine only having to change your sensor twice a month – talk about convenience! The data they’ve released is pretty compelling. In trials, this thing hit a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of just 8%. Now, for those who don’t speak ‘CGM metrics,’ a lower MARD means better accuracy. And that’s what matters: reliable glucose readings, so patients can make informed decisions about their treatment.

This 15-day sensor might even be more accurate than Dexcom’s already impressive G7 10-day sensor; it’s under FDA review right now, and they’re expecting clearance in the second half of 2025. What’s more, it meets the FDA’s integrated CGM (iCGM) criteria, so it’ll play nice with compatible insulin delivery systems. Which brings me to my next point…

Tandem’s Control-IQ+ Gets the Green Light

Tandem Diabetes Care just got FDA clearance for its Control-IQ+ automated insulin delivery system, specifically for adults with Type 2 diabetes. This makes Tandem only the second company to offer an FDA-authorized system like this for the Type 2 population, following Insulet’s Omnipod 5. Now, this is where it gets cool: Control-IQ+ takes data from Dexcom’s G6 CGM and uses it to automatically adjust insulin delivery via Tandem’s insulin pumps, the t:slim X2 and Tandem Mobi. It’s like having a little robot constantly tweaking your insulin levels for you.

Trial Success: Real-World Impact

But does it actually work? Well, the FDA clearance came after a pivotal trial, and the results were pretty impressive. The trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it involved 319 participants. The group using Control-IQ+ saw a 0.9% drop in A1C levels, while the control group only saw a 0.3% reduction. What’s more, they spent around 16% more time in their target blood glucose range, adding up to an average of 3.4 hours each day. That’s a significant chunk of time with better glucose control! Essentially, these findings confirm, that the system is really effective at managing glucose levels and cutting down the risk of hypoglycemia.

The system will be available to new and existing U.S. customers in March 2025. You can see why there is so much excitement, can’t you?

Looking Ahead

It’s hard not to be optimistic about where diabetes tech is headed. With innovations like Dexcom’s 15-day CGM and Tandem’s Control-IQ+, managing diabetes is becoming more convenient, more accurate, and, hopefully, less stressful. And with healthcare professionals increasingly recognizing the power of CGM technology, it seems like we’re moving towards a future where people with diabetes have the tools and knowledge they need to truly thrive. Though these developments, along with the report of health professionals favouring CGM technology, shows it is an exciting time for people with diabetes. I can’t wait to see what comes next.