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Abbott, Sanofi announce partnership to integrate CGM, insulin dosing technologies
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Abbott and Sanofi on Monday announced a partnership to develop new tools that will combine technology from Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor with insulin dosing information for future Sanofi smart pens, insulin titration apps and cloud software, according to a press release from the companies.
“This strategic relationship with Abbott is representative of the next evolution of our commitment for better diabetes care by incorporating digital tools into the daily life of people living with diabetes,” Gustavo Pesquin, senior vice president of global diabetes and cardiovascular franchise at Sanofi, said in the release. “By partnering with Abbott, we are a step closer to realizing our connected ecosystem, which would help improve control and the quality-of-life decision cycle for patients through individualized glycemic management of diabetes.”
The nonexclusive collaboration will initially enable data sharing, at the consent of the user, between Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre mobile app and cloud software and Sanofi’s connected insulin pens, apps and cloud software that are currently in development, according to the release.
“As the global leader in continuous glucose monitoring, we see a significant opportunity to impact the health of millions of people living with diabetes by developing new tools and connectivity with Sanofi, a leader in the insulin space,” Jared Watkin, senior vice president for diabetes care at Abbott, said in the release. “Diabetes can be overwhelming as it is an information-rich condition with various streams of data from multiple devices. Building a digital ecosystem around FreeStyle Libre simplifies the user experience by consolidating how people get their data — both through offering Abbott’s digital health tools and by working with other diabetes and technology leaders.”
The move follows steps taken by other diabetes technology companies to improve interoperability across devices. In February, The FDA approved marketing of the first insulin pump with interoperable technology for children and adults with diabetes, the first device to be classified under a new de novo premarket review pathway. The Tandem Diabetes Care t:Slim X2 insulin pump, an alternate controller enabled infusion pump, or ACE insulin pump, is the first interoperable pump, meaning it can be used with different components that make up diabetes therapy systems, allowing patients to tailor their diabetes management to their individual device preferences, according to the FDA.
Sanofi is currently working to provide connected pens, apps and cloud software that will be compatible with the FreeStyle Libre system and its compatible digital health tools. Pending local regulatory approvals, the companies stated, products featuring the integrated technologies will be available in the next few years. – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: Pesquin is senior vice president of global diabetes and cardiovascular franchise at Sanofi. Watkin is senior vice president for diabetes care at Abbott.