growing need for diabetes management drives market innovation

Diabetes is one of the most pressing health concerns globally, with GlobalData estimating more than 185 million diagnosed prevalent cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes around the world in 2017.

Although diabetes can initially be controlled through diet and exercise, eventually medical intervention is necessary for many patients. As the number of patients worldwide continues to grow, the global market for diabetes care devices is rapidly expanding, and medical device companies are investing in innovative solutions that aim to make patients’ disease management less demanding.

He we look at some of the most groundbreaking product approvals and technology developments announced leading up to and during the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 78^th Scientific Sessions, which ran from 22-26 June in Orlando, Florida.

Senseonics, Medtronic, and Tandem Diabetes Care announced FDA approvals for advanced glucose monitoring systems that incorporate novel sensor and technology developments. Senseonics’ Eversense continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system for adults with diabetes is the first FDA-approved CGM device to include a fully implantable glucose-detecting sensor, which can be worn for up to 90 days. The sensor measures blood glucose levels every five minutes, and sends measurements to a mobile app, which can alert users if glucose levels are too high or low. The company’s longer-lasting CGM system, the Eversense XL, has a glucose sensor that can be worn for up to 180 days and received CE mark approval in September 2017.

Medtronic’s MiniMed 670G hybrid closed-loop system received expanded FDA approval for use in type 1 diabetes patients ages seven to 13, and CE mark approval for type 1 diabetes patients ages seven and older. The MiniMed 670G is an artificial pancreas system, combining a CGM and insulin pump, which provides automated self-adjusting basal insulin delivery every five minutes using sensor glucose values.

Also approved was Tandem Diabetes Care’s t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Basal-IQ technology, which offers patients new features that will aim to make disease management less time-consuming. The t:slim pump is integrated and used with the Dexcom G6 CGM system. The Basel-IQ is a predictive feature able to look 30 minutes into the future, cease insulin delivery when a glucose drop into hypoglycemic range is anticipated, and automatically resume insulin delivery when glucose levels begin to increase.

Developments have also been made on the software side of diabetes care. As patient engagement is critical to successful diabetes management, manufacturers are increasingly using apps to monitor patient levels and inform patients of any changes occurring. Medtronic and IBM Watson Health announced the commercial launch of the Sugar.IQ app for users of Medtronic’s Guardian Connect CGM system. The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to track patterns in patients’ blood glucose levels in response to food, medication, and other daily routine variables.

The landscape for diabetes care is quickly evolving. GlobalData estimates the global market for diabetes care devices, covering glucose monitoring and insulin delivery devices, was valued at $21.7bn in 2017. This market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% to reach $32.9bn in 2025, driven by the rapidly expanding diabetic population and the need for remote, patient self-monitoring systems.

GlobalData expects ongoing innovation in this space, as companies continue integrating CGM and wireless capabilities into patient management devices. The pipeline for diabetes care devices is bursting with nearly 300 novel products in various stages of development. More than half of these devices are glucose monitoring systems, as the race to market the most advanced and user-friendly glucose monitoring system continues.