Abbott's New Glucose-Ketone Sensor Sparks Collaborations Across Diabetes Management Industry

In a significant development for diabetes care, Abbott's upcoming dual glucose-ketone sensor has triggered a wave of collaborations with leading insulin pump manufacturers. The announcements, made in the lead-up to the American Diabetes Association's annual scientific sessions in Chicago, signal a major step forward in integrated diabetes management systems.

Tandem Diabetes Care Expands Partnership with Abbott

Tandem Diabetes Care has announced that its t:slim X2 automated pump will now be compatible with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system. An early access program is already underway in the U.S., with plans to increase coverage in the latter half of this year.

The 15-day sensor will transmit glucose readings directly to the pump, with data accessible through the t:slim mobile app. This integration builds upon Tandem's previous collaboration with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus system.

Dr. Jordan Pinsker, Tandem's chief medical officer, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, "The American Diabetes Association recommends AID systems as the preferred insulin delivery method in people with type 1 and other types of insulin-deficient diabetes, and this integration with Abbott's latest generation sensor allows even more CGM users to access the life-changing benefits of our Control-IQ+ technology."

Multiple Manufacturers Commit to Future Integration

In addition to the current FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus integration, Tandem has also announced plans to connect its t:slim X2 and Mobi insulin delivery systems to Abbott's upcoming dual-sensing wearable for people with Type 1 diabetes. This new sensor, which has been in development for years, will monitor both glucose and ketone levels, potentially helping users detect early signs of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Other manufacturers joining the collaboration include:

1. Beta Bionics: The company plans to integrate its iLet Bionic Pancreas platform with Abbott's glucose-ketone sensor. Beta Bionics' CEO, Sean Saint, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "This integration holds great promise for further enhancing real-time decision-making support for people living with diabetes."

2. Ypsomed and CamDiab: These partners will collaborate with Abbott to connect their mylife Loop modular system, which includes the YpsoPump and CamAPS FX controlling software, to the dual-sensor. Roman Hovorka, CamDiab Director, highlighted the potential impact: "By incorporating future ketone monitoring alongside glucose data with the mylife CamAPS FX app, we are taking a major step forward in delivering a closed-loop solution that is designed to enhance safety and reduce burden for people—and their loved ones living with type 1 diabetes."

These collaborations represent a significant advancement in the diabetes management landscape, promising more comprehensive and integrated care solutions for individuals living with diabetes.