Looking at diabetes technology halfway through 2021

Keeping up with new diabetes technology is an important part of living a healthy life. Whether you prefer multiple daily injections (MDIs) or use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to care for the condition, there's a technology for everybody and every lifestyle.

Several advancements have been announced so far this year, and many more are due to hit the market soon. Here's a rundown of the most important developments to be aware of and to ask your doctor about.

Insulin pens

• Medtronic's InPen. This is one of the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared smart pen system created for people with diabetes. Using advanced tracking technology (inside the pen and through a mobile app), the device helps daily insulin users take the right dose at the right time. The InPen is compatible with Humalog, Fiasp, and Novolog insulins, and a half-unit dose can be administered. Once a dose is given, the app keeps track of the data and helps users make decisions. The technology automatically records insulin doses, monitors active insulin, regulates insulin temperature, and recommends mealtime and correction doses, making it easy to share data with a doctor or caregiver. The device can be connected to the mobile app through Bluetooth, and it integrates with Dexcom G5 and G6 CGMs.The technology has been authorized for children ages 7 and up and conveniently remains charged for an entire year. Additionally, Medtronic offers the InPen User Access Program to make the device more affordable.
• Biomedical's Bigfoot Unity Diabetes Management System. Recently cleared by the FDA, this insulin pen is expected to launch in mid-2021. According to the company's website, the device is "the first and only to translate continuously monitored glucose data into on-demand insulin dose recommendations displayed right on the pen-cap screen." It's also the first and only device with real-time hypoglycemia alerts. The data is integrated with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 2 system and is used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The system is compatible with all major U.S. brands of rapid and long-acting insulin pens — including Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi — and is approved for MDIs for those ages 12 and up.
• HypoPal Rescue Pen. A ready-to-use dasiglucagon pen, HypoPal is a fast and effective treatment for severe hypoglycemia due to hit the market in early 2021. According to Zealand Pharma, the diabetes technology did well in three Phase 3 trials in adults and children with a median time to blood glucose recovery to be just 10 minutes following an injection of 0.6 milligrams. The HypoPal rescue pen joins Eli Lilly's Baqsimi nasal glucagon and the Gvoke prefilled glucagon syringe by Xeris Pharmaceuticals.

CGMs

• Dexcom's G7. The San Diego, California-based medical device company's newest CGM, Dexcom G7, is set for a limited launch by the end of 2021. The current G6 model features a separate transmitter, but the G7 will have an integrated sensor and transmitter. Once the sensor expires, users dispose of the entire unit. The G7 wear time will initially continue at 10 days just like the current G6 version, but it's designed to eventually allow up to 14-day wear.
• Abbott's Freestyle Libre 3. The FreeStyle Libre 3 features the world's smallest, thinnest glucose sensor (about the size of two stacked U.S. pennies) and fits "seamlessly into people's lives, enabling users to discreetly check their glucose as often as they like without having to fingerstick." The Libre 3 will provide the same benefits as the FreeStyle Libre 2, including 14-day accuracy and optional glucose alarms. The Libre 2 was previously cleared for children ages 4 and up, women with gestational diabetes, and pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. New features of the Libre 3 include continuous real-time glucose readings automatically delivered to a user's smartphone every minute and a sensor that's easy to apply with a one-piece applicator. To make the technology available to as many people as possible living with diabetes, the FreeStyle Libre 3 will be priced the same as previous generations of the device, which is a third of the cost of other CGMs.

Insulin pumps

• Insulet's Omnipod 5. The early-to-mid 2021 launch of Insulet Corporation's Omnipod 5 will be a game-changer for the company that invented the first tubeless automated insulin delivery system that allows users up to three days of continuous insulin delivery. The Omnipod 5 takes it a step further with an algorithm (built into the patch pump) that will connect with CGMs, eliminating the need for users to wear both systems to track readings and also administer insulin. Android smartphone users will be able to access their data and control their insulin delivery through the Omnipod 5 app. For now, iOS devices will use a system controller until the iPhone version of the app is developed and cleared by the FDA.

Considering a new diabetes technology for your own management needs? Consult with your doctor to identify the best system for your lifestyle and check out other informative articles around advancements on the Edgepark Health Insights blog.