Researchers and scientists are still working on novel therapies and technology for a variety of diseases, including diabetes. We know you prefer hearing about (potential) new alternatives to help you manage your diabetes better and with less effort, so Carolien Koreneff, a certified diabetes educator, provides an overview of some new tools and creative diabetes technologies in North America.
New Pharmaceuticals
Wegovy Is A New Glp-1 Agonist
GLP-1 medicines target brain regions involved in appetite and food intake regulation. This can help you eat less, which lowers blood glucose levels and may result in weight reduction.
GLP-1 drugs have received a lot of attention recently, leading to an increase in the number of patients taking Ozempic (semaglutide). Regrettably, this has resulted in a statewide scarcity of Ozempic and Trulicity (Dulaglutide, another GLP-1 medication).
Wegovy (Semaglutide) is the most recent addition to the glucose-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug family. While both Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active component, semaglutide, their applications, doses, and devices differ. As a result, the terms Ozempic and Wegovy are not interchangeable.
Due to rising global demand for semaglutide medicines, Novo Nordisk is currently not distributing Wegovy in Australia. This also influences the availability and predictability of Ozempic in Australia until at least early 2023.
New Medicine Class: Mounjaro Is A GIP/GLP-1 Agonist
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is a new weekly injectable for type 2 diabetes therapy.
Chris Stocker with Diabetes365.org notes “Mounjaro is a medicine that mimics the activities of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucose-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Trulicity and Ozempic are GLP-1 hormone mimics. GIP and GLP-1 are hormones secreted by cells in the stomach after you eat; they trigger the pancreas to release insulin.”
Mounjaro is the first GIP drug on the market, and it is now seeking clearance from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to review the safety of our products in Australia. Mounjaro decreases blood glucose levels aid in weight reduction and prevent fat buildup in the liver, which can contribute to inflammation.
New Medicine: PATAS
A group of French, English, American and Australian researchers discovered that insulin resistance is caused by fat cells’ failure to control glucose metabolism. A new medicine that reboots how your fat cells utilize insulin might revolutionize type 2 diabetes therapy.
PATAS is being developed and, if successful, might be administered through injection or patch. PATAS may also have the ability to prevent type 2 diabetes, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Damage (NAFLD), and the risk of major diabetic consequences such as heart, kidney, liver, and eye disease. Researchers want to begin human trials around 2023.
BAQSIMI
Anyone who takes insulin injections for diabetes is at risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels). In the past, in the case of severe or unconscious hypoglycemia, you would have relied on intramuscular glucagon injections by a trained support person, generally a family member or friend.
BAQSIMI has the same active component that has been used for decades. t BAQSIMI differs from previous low blood glucose emergency therapies in that it is administered through nasal spray rather than injection.
When you can’t safely consume or drink oral carbohydrates, BAQSIMI boosts low blood glucose levels. It is not for normal blood glucose fluctuations, but rather for a low blood glucose emergency. Because BAQSIMI does not require refrigeration, you may take it with you everywhere you go. The TGA has authorized BAQSIMI, although it is not yet available in Australia.
New Applications
There is an app available to help you measure carbohydrates, check your blood glucose levels, or manage stress. Your diabetic health professional can propose diabetes management applications. Apps should never replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
The data for a food-related app should be based on the Australian food supply, as abroad applications will have different labeling rules and may use different names for foods or components, which might confuse them.
Apps like the OMNIA Bolus insulin calculator (along with other diabetes management technologies) have been available for a while and can be valuable aids in improving diabetes control. According to our sources, several firms across the world are developing Apps to assist enhance Time in Range, making life easier, and gathering (and sharing) data. OMNIA is an example of such an App.
According to Diabetes Life Solutions, OMNIA is an artificial pancreas system that helps you stay within a healthy glucose range and avoid diabetic problems. It’s an app designed with a neural network-powered algorithm, with a simple setup and configuration procedure. “With OMNIA, it’s quite easy to reach more than 70% Time in Range and make living with diabetes much easier,” the developers claim. OMNIA is now available across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.
MySugr
Another handy app is MySugr. It includes glucose monitoring, carbohydrate tracking, and a bolus dosage calculator. Weekly, monthly, and even yearly reports are available. This app can connect with many of the meters now available in Australia, offer you reminders like checking your blood glucose level after exercise, and conveniently transmit information to your diabetic health professional. Best of all, it is now available for free (in-app purchases are available).
A Word Of Warning
Apps can be as simple as a reminder system, give basic information, social networking, or clinical statistics, or conduct a more in-depth analysis of glucose patterns or calculate insulin dosage recommendations. Due to the vast array of accessible features, apps should be utilized with caution.
When using diabetic apps for management, it is suggested that you utilize TGA-approved apps, as some diabetes app producers make claims that are not supported by acceptable scientific evidence. When setting up diabetes management Apps, you should always get assistance from your diabetic health expert.
Lumen
Lumen is the world’s first portable hand-held gadget that precisely measures metabolism. Previously solely available to elite athletes, hospitals, and clinics, metabolic testing is now available to the general public.
Lumen analyzes the CO2 levels in your breath to determine if your body is using carbohydrates or lipids for sustenance. Lumen will give you a daily personalized nutrition plan as well as other practical insights into your sleep, exercise, and meal timing.
Insulin Pump Innovation
A lot is going on in the world of insulin pump technology. The following are a few innovations that we thought were fascinating and promising.
Patch Pump Sigitm
SigiTM operates with prefilled insulin cartridges (removing the need to replenish reservoirs) and is managed directly from your smartphone. Simply replace the insulin cartridge in your patch pump and turn it back on. SigiTM patch pumps are better for the environment since each user receives two recharged SigiTM pumps that last for years. SigiTM is not yet FDA authorized or CE marked, therefore it is not yet on the market, but it looks and sounds great.
Tandem Mobility
The t: slim X2 insulin pump’s creators are working on a pump that is nearly half the size of the original pump and does not include a display screen. Originally known as the t: sport, the Tandem Mobi minipump now features a short 4-inch tube and adhesive on the back, allowing it to be applied to the body (like a patch pump) or utilized with current Tandem infusion sets. The Mobi will be controlled by an iOS or Android phone, will be CGM (Dexcom) compatible, and will support wireless charging.
Tubeless Omnipod 5 System
The Omnipod 5, formerly referred to as the Omnipod Horizon, is a closed-loop insulin pump device.
The Omnipod 5 tubeless system is based on the Omnipod DASH (currently available in Australia) and employs identical insulin pods and mobile applications. It will first be compatible with the Dexcom CGM, followed by the FreeStyle Libre from Abbott. Uncertain as to when this technology will become available in Australia.
Extended-Wear Medtronic Sets
Medtronic is working on an extended-wear infusion set that will last more than twice as long as current infusion sets. That implies it may be worn for up to 7 days, as opposed to existing sets, which must be replaced every 2 or 3 days.
The tubing material and connection of this new prolonged infusion set will be updated to limit preservative loss, avoid insulin blockages in the pump tubing, and preserve the chemical and physical stability of the insulin over time. Less frequent set changes let the skin test and heal, resulting in less insulin waste.
Glucose Monitoring In Real Time
Of course, advancements in CGM technology are on the horizon.
G7 Dexcom
The next Dexcom CGM device is likely to include a combined sensor and transmitter configuration. The integrated G7 will be smaller, entirely disposable, and can be worn for up to 10 days (with a 12-hour grace period), with the ability to support up to 15 days of sensor use in the future. The G7 will require only 30 minutes to warm up and will ship with an entirely new App that will include the Clarity software. Dexcom also intends to upgrade the Follow app in the future. Dexcom G7 is now accessible in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Hong Kong; it is unclear when it will be available in Australia.
3rd Edition Of Freestyle Libre
The Freestyle Libre 3 does not require any sensor scanning to produce real-time glucose readings, indicating that it has complete CGM capabilities. Every minute, the Freestyle Libre 3 displays a real-time glucose reading on the associated iPhone or Android mobile app. It is 70% smaller, uses 41% less plastic, and includes customizable alarms. FSL-3 is already accessible in the United States; however, it is unknown when it will be available in Australia.
180-Day Implantable Eversense
The Eversense implanted CGM is the first of its kind and has been accessible in the US since 2018. The next-generation version, which is presently being developed, would enable the same small sensor to be implanted for 180 days (or 6 months rather than 3). According to the business, this update will also reduce the number of fingerstick calibrations required from two to one each day. Eversense is currently unavailable in Australia.
Conclusion
It’s more of a glimpse of some exciting new advancements. We hope you found it interesting.
