Abbott's Diabetes Care Innovation: New Leadership, Partnerships, and Technology

Abbott, a leading player in the diabetes care industry, is making significant strides in expanding its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology and forging strategic partnerships. Under the new leadership of Chris Scoggins, Executive Vice President of Diabetes Care, the company is poised to broaden access to its CGM devices and introduce groundbreaking innovations.

Expanding CGM Access and New ADA Guidelines

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recently updated its guidelines to consider CGM use for people with diabetes who are not on insulin therapy. This change has been met with enthusiasm from stakeholders in the diabetes community and is expected to significantly impact CGM adoption rates.

According to Scoggins, CGM category penetration for intensively managed insulin patients in the U.S. has reached over 70%. For those on basal insulin, penetration is growing rapidly and now exceeds 20%. The largest untapped market remains people managing diabetes without insulin, where penetration is still in single digits but showing promising growth.

Innovative Glucose-Ketone Sensor Development

Abbott is developing a novel dual glucose-ketone sensor, which has garnered significant interest from the medical community. This technology aims to address the critical issue of rising ketones, which can lead to ketoacidosis if left unchecked.

"Nobody's ever measured ketones continuously," Scoggins explained. "We're able to see rising ketones before it turns into something severe, like ketoacidosis. There will be exciting news at ADA."

The company has already announced integrations with insulin pump manufacturers Tandem Diabetes Care and Sequel Med Tech to incorporate this new sensor into their devices.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning

Abbott's strategy involves becoming the most broadly connected diabetes tech company. Recent partnerships, including a collaboration with competitor Medtronic to develop a glucose sensor compatible with Medtronic's insulin delivery systems, underscore this approach.

The acquisition of Bigfoot Biomedical further demonstrates Abbott's commitment to device-agnostic solutions, catering to users of both insulin pens and pumps. Scoggins emphasized the company's focus on meeting people where they are, whether they use pumps, pens, or smartwatches.

Abbott is also exploring the synergies between its Libre CGM system and GLP-1 medications, noting positive real-world data on their combined impact in diabetes management.

As the diabetes care landscape continues to evolve, Abbott's multifaceted approach to innovation and collaboration positions the company at the forefront of addressing the diverse needs of people living with diabetes.