Tandem and Abbott Partner on Innovative Glucose-Ketone Sensing Technology for Automated Insulin Delivery

Tandem Diabetes Care and Abbott have announced a groundbreaking partnership to develop automated insulin delivery systems incorporating a novel dual glucose-ketone sensor. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in diabetes management technology, potentially offering enhanced safety and control for patients.

Dual Sensing Technology: A New Frontier in Diabetes Care

Abbott's planned glucose-ketone sensor, first announced in 2022, aims to address a critical gap in current diabetes monitoring systems. By detecting rising ketone levels, the sensor could help patients avoid diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication that occurs when the body lacks sufficient insulin to use blood sugar for energy.

Tandem plans to integrate its existing insulin delivery systems with Abbott's new sensor once it receives regulatory approval. Elizabeth Gasser, Tandem's Chief Strategy and Product Officer, stated, "Our current focus is ensuring our systems will integrate with and support users who adopt Abbott's glucose-ketone sensor when it launches."

Expanding Partnerships and Market Implications

This collaboration is part of a broader trend of strategic partnerships in the diabetes technology sector. Abbott has been actively expanding its reach, recently announcing a similar agreement with Sequel MedTech for their Twiist AID system. Additionally, Abbott struck a deal with Medtronic last year to develop a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) exclusively compatible with Medtronic's insulin pumps and pens.

For Tandem, this partnership complements their ongoing development efforts, including work on a tubeless feature for their compact Mobi insulin pump and the creation of a patch-pump system. These innovations, coupled with the integration of Abbott's dual-sensing technology, could significantly strengthen Tandem's position in the competitive automated insulin delivery market.

While specific details about the integration timeline and functionality remain undisclosed, this collaboration represents a promising step towards more comprehensive and responsive diabetes management solutions. As the first automated insulin delivery system to incorporate ketone sensing, the Tandem-Abbott partnership has the potential to set a new standard in diabetes care technology.