It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new pilot program will allow some pharmacists to prescribe CGMs, Georgia becomes the latest state to pass a law securing Glucagon for schools, new info about COVID-19 and new cases of T1D, insulin pump infusion set and skin reaction study, does kombucha tea lower blood glucose and more!
Moms' Night Out early bird specials will end soon for Texas and Rhode Island!
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Transcription:
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by AG1. AG1 helps you build your health,
foundation first.
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New pilot program to allow pharmacists to prescribe CGMs. This comes from the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, with support from Helmsley Charitable Trust. While many patients with diabetes may not even have access to a primary care physician, the average person interacts with their community pharmacist 12x more often than their primary care provider. The program will launch in 20 community pharmacy practices across the U.S. There will be a 90-day enrollment period followed by 12 months of monitoring and management
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720044367/en/The-APhA-Foundation-launches-patient-enrollment-for-a-program-to-expand-access-to-pharmacist-provided-continuous-glucose-monitoring-CGM-devices-and-services
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We told you recently about Mobi’s approval, that’s Tandem’s tiny pump, billed as the world’s smallest durable automated insulin delivery system. Convatec Group now saying they’ve partnered with Tandem on a new five-inch infusion set for the Mobi. Not a lot more information than that, but interesting because while Convatec makes infusion sets for just about every tubed pump, last year, Tandem acquired another infusion set developer, Capillary Biomedical.
https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2023/07/18/Convatec-to-manufacture-new-infusion-set-for-Tandem-Diabetes-Care
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New law in Georgia to make sure all schools have emergency glucagon on hand and that it can be used for any student. House Bill 440 took effect on July 1, 2023. It will allow public and private schools in Georgia to acquire and keep a supply of glucagon. It allows prescribers to provide standing orders or prescriptions for ready-to-use glucagon to schools so that this medication can be rapidly administered to students in an emergency. Schools will also be able to work directly with glucagon manufacturers or third-party suppliers to obtain the products for free or at fair market or reduced prices. In 2018 a school nurse in Illinois used another students glucagon on a different study having an emergency, breaking the law. It’s since been changed in Indiana and now, in Georgia. Disclaimer: the state rep who sponsored this bill, Doug Stoner is married to my dear friend Trip Stoner who lives with type 1.
https://www.thegeorgiavirtue.com/georgia-legislature/georgia-bill-to-help-schools-treat-hypoglycemic-emergencies-becomes-law/
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I think most of us know this but good to see research on it. A new study shows skin reactions at insulin pump infusion sites are common among people with type 1 diabetes who use the devices and can lead to delivery failure.
researchers at the University of Washington, in Seattle, used biopsies and noninvasive imaging to compare insulin pump sites with control sites in 30 patients. They found
Several differences were found at pump sites in comparison with control sites, including fibrosis, inflammation, eosinophils, a disease-fighting white blood cell which indicated an allergic reaction here.
The inflammatory response, they say, "may result in tissue changes responsible for the infusion site failures seen frequently in clinical practice." Nearly all patients (93.3%) reported itchiness at the site, and 76.7% reported skin redness.
While the researchers think preservatives in the insulin or the makeup of the infusion sets are probably to blame, they admit they don’t really understand it fully yet.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995068
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Very large new study seems to confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a jump in cases of type 1 diabetes in children and teenagers. This study pooled data from 17 previous studies and looked at 38-thousand people under the age of 19. They found the incidence of type 1 was about 14-percent higher during 2020, the first year of the pandemic, than in the previous year. The incidence rose higher still in the second year of the pandemic, up 27% from 2019.
Before COVID-19, the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children was rising at a steady rate of around 2–4% a year.
The meta-analysis did reaffirm that children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes tended to present with more severe forms of disease during the pandemic than before. The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication of new-onset type 1 diabetes, rose by 26% from 2019 to 2020, probably because people were hesitant or unable to seek emergency care when early symptoms appeared.
It’s still unclear what triggered the sudden increase in diabetes and how long the trend might persist. It’s also important to keep in mind that a few researchers have spoken out that they believe the increase sounds implausible. And that Studies from Finland7, Scotland8 and Denmark9 could not directly link coronavirus infections to the increase in type 1 diabetes.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02322-0
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New research shows the best time to predict childhood type 1 diabetes is ages 2-6, when screening detects 80-percent of future cases. Research shows screening children ages 2-6 best predicts childhood type 1 diabetes, successfully detecting 80% of future cases. Early screening also leads to more timely treatment, better health outcomes, and less diabetes distress. These researchers reviewed findings that screened 90-thousand children under the age of 6 and 32-thousand children under 18. These researchers emphasized the need to work towards the adoption of universal screening at the state government, payer, and healthcare provider levels.
https://diatribe.org/early-diabetes-screening-kids-can-improve-quality-life
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Very small pilot study suggesting that kombucha reduces blood glucose levels in adults with type 2. I’m including this because you’ll likely hear a lot about it.. but keep in mind, the sample size was too small for statistical significance. A total of 12 participants with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to consume 240 mL of either a kombucha product or placebo daily with dinner for 4 weeks. They then waited 8 weeks and switched to the other product for another 4 weeks.
Kombucha significantly lowered average fasting blood glucose – on average from 164 to 116.
Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995035
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Afon, a Welsh based company, is working on a non-invasive glucose sensor that has the potential to revolutionize the way blood glucose levels are monitored.
We’ve heard these types of promises before, but are yet to see something materialise into a real-world product. With the development of optical sensors in the early 2010s, the concept of using technology to monitor glucose levels in a non-invasive manner was first brought up. Light is used by these sensors to obtain signals from beneath the skin. For several years, there has been discussion about incorporating such technology for glucose monitoring by smartwatches. Afon adopts an entirely different approach. Its blood glucose sensor is called Glucowear. It is an RF sensor that fits under the base of the wrist. The gizmo uses radio frequencies to obtain signals from beneath the skin. Unlike optical sensors this technology provides real-time monitoring with no time lag.
Hoping for a 2024 launch date
The company stated that they hope to have the device on the market by early 2024. This is an extremely optimistic goal given the stringent requirements imposed by health regulators. There is no information available on how well Afon is progressing with regulatory approval, and the company’s website makes no mention of the regulatory process. So far the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor has undergone three rounds of testing at Profil, a world-renowned diabetes research center in Germany. A multi-phase trial of this technology will be conducted at Swansea University’s Joint Clinical Research Facility (JCRF) later in 2023. There will also be other multi-site trials before the device hits retail in 2024. Glucowear delivers real-time continuous glucose monitoring through its wireless integration with a smart device. Designed to be placed under a user’s smartwatch, the sensor allows the said device to serve as an integral part of the monitoring system. Afon promotes the Glucowear as a comfortable wearable and ensures that the painless CGM has a battery lifespan of up to 14 days when fully charged.
https://gadgetsandwearables.com/2023/07/24/afon-blood-glucose-sensor/
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https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/105707
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On the podcast next week.. talking to Justin, better known as DiabeTech, who was diagnosed with T1D by TikTok! Last week I talked to the author of Sweeite!
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.
It's almost time for back to school! How do you explain type 1 diabetes to students? I asked a preschool teacher whose daughter has t1d to talk about how to get the message through without scaring anyone.
Laura Self also has a great book our for kids called Sweetie. Her daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed at age 8 and is now 20. She spent the spring semester in Europe this year. Laura and I talk about how we tried to help our children find independence, confidence, and responsibility with diabetes.
Moms' Night Out is in three cities! Find out more before our early bird specials end.
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Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
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Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
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This week, actress Jennifer Stone lives with LADA.. she decided to become a nurse and started her first ER job in March of 2020. I asked her what it was like knowing she had to take care of her own diabetes while also taking care of patients during a pandemic:
You might know Jennifer best from her days on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place… I caught up with her to talk about how she manages LADA, why she decided to become a nurse and still continue acting... and what’s next for her dual careers.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
More about Medtronic's InPen system
Our previous episode with Jennifer Stone
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
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Let's talk about menopause and type 1. It’s hard enough to find information about this part of life for women without diabetes.. so when this week’s guest started looking for research about T1D she wasn’t too surprised to come up short:
Dawnie Adams is a midwife who is determined to use peer support to push medical research forward. We talk about her experience, what she and her group are doing to support each other, how diabetes and menopause can have similar symptoms which just makes everything confusion.. and much more.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new insulin pump gets FDA approval, once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 gets through another trial, New Jersey caps insulin prices for some, possible link between ability to chew and glucose control, a landmark diabetes study moves on to aging and T1D, JDRF Children's Congress and more!
Learn about Moms' Night Out - a new event for moms of children with diabetes
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by AG1. AG1 helps you build your health,
foundation first.
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Our top story, Tandem’s Mobi Pump is approved. The FDA cleared the tiny pump for people with diabetes ages six and up. Tandem says mobie is fully controllable from a mobile app and is the world’s smallest durable AID system. It still has a button on the pump to dose and holds 200 units. You use the same infusion set as the current Tandem pumps and Mobi uses Control IQ. Limited release planned for late this year and fully available early 2024.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/fda-clears-tandem-mobi-automated-insulin-pump/
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Learning more about a newly approved therapy for type 1 diabetes called Lantidra. Two safety and efficacy studies found that 21 participants who took Lantidra did not need to administer themselves insulin for a year or more. Twelve of those participants did not need to take insulin for up to 5 years, and 9 did not need insulin for over 5 years.
Lantidra is an allogeneic (donor) pancreatic islet cellular therapy. In other words, Lantidra uses cells taken — or isolated — from human organ donor pancreases. “In [a] subsequent process, the insulin-producing islets are purified from the rest of the pancreatic tissue using a density gradient. Once the islets are isolated, purified, and put for a short time in cell culture, the cell preparation is infused into the liver of the recipient,” he explained.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fda-approves-first-cellular-therapy-for-type-1-diabetes-what-does-it-do#How-does-islet-cellular-therapy-work?
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Once weekly basal insulin for type 2 gets through another trial. After 26 weeks of treatment and five weeks of follow-up, patients on weekly insulin icodec had significantly larger improvements in their HbA1C than those using daily insulin. Both groups had an extremely low rate of adverse events. These researches say next step is FDA evaluation.
https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2023/july-weekly-insulin-found-safe.html
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That’s the idea behind Fractyl Health’s treatment for type 2 diabetes—which could also be used for weight control. The Lexington, Massachusetts-based biotech company is in the early stages of developing a one-time gene therapy intended to lower blood sugar and body weight using the same mechanism as semaglutide. “You have this problem where you need to stay on therapy for efficacy,” says Harith Rajagopalan, a cardiologist by training and CEO and cofounder of Fractyl Health. “That’s the Achilles heel.” The company wants to deliver an artificial gene to the pancreas that continuously produces the GLP-1 hormone so there’s no need for weekly injections. The approach, called gene therapy, uses inactivated viruses to carry a therapeutic gene to pancreatic cells. (Viruses are used because of their natural ability to deliver genetic material to cells.) The company is aiming to begin an initial human trial by the end of 2024
https://www.wired.com/story/a-one-time-shot-for-type-2-diabetes-a-biotech-company-is-on-it/
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Gov. Phil Murphy signed three bills into law Monday aimed at cutting the high cost of prescription drugs in New Jersey.
The new laws will cap how much residents will pay for some popular medications such as insulin, prevent pharmacy benefit managers from engaging in practices that make drugs more expensive, and create a panel that will monitor prices set by pharmaceutical companies. One measure (S1614) would cap the cost of insulin, epinephrine auto-injector devices and asthma inhalers for state and local public workers enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program, the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program and other state-regulated plans. For a 30-day supply, insulin will cost $35, EpiPens $25 and asthma inhalers would be capped at $50, according to the bill. The law takes effect next year.
https://www.nj.com/politics/2023/07/new-laws-to-stem-high-cost-of-prescription-drugs-in-nj-were-just-signed-by-gov-murphy.html
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The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Tuesday it has extended its probe into Novo Nordisk's (NOVOb.CO) diabetes drugs Ozempic and weight-loss treatment Saxenda, following two reports of suicidal thoughts, to include other drugs in the same class.
The agency began its review on July 3 after Iceland's health regulator flagged the reports of patients thinking about suicide and one case of thoughts of self harm after use of Novo's drugs.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-extends-ozempic-probe-include-other-drugs-2023-07-11/
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We often hear that diabetes can lead to problems with your teeth.. but one researcher says it might be the other way around. A University at Buffalo researchers says there is a notable correlation between chewing functionality and blood glucose levels in people with type 2.
Specifically, he found that patients with T2D who maintain a full chewing ability exhibit significantly lower blood glucose levels compared to those with compromised chewing function. The thinking here is that chewing stimulates the body in all sorts of ways, including releasing hormones that help you feel fuller and help in digestion. More studies are expected.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284319
https://scitechdaily.com/the-surprising-connection-between-chewing-and-type-2-diabetes/
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The next step of the landmark Diabetes Control and Complications Trial will focus on aging with type 1 diabetes.
The original randomized DCCT clinical trial results, published September 30, 1993, in the New England Journal of Medicine, proved that early intensive glycemic control was the key to preventing or slowing the progression of long-term eye, kidney, and nerve complications of type 1 diabetes. Subsequently, EDIC has yielded many more major findings including that early tight glycemic control also reduces cardiovascular risk and prolongs survival in type 1 diabetes.
subsequent EDIC data also have suggested that it is never too late to initiate intensive glycemic control
Together, DCCT and EDIC — both funded by the National Institutes of Health at 27 sites in the United States and Canada — have changed the standard of care for people with type 1 diabetes Prior to the DCCT, between 1930 and 1970, about a third of people with type 1 diabetes developed vision loss and one in five experienced kidney failure and/or myocardial infarction. Stroke and amputation were also common, DCCT/EDIC chair David M. Nathan, MD, said while introducing the symposium.
"All of the advances in care of type 1 diabetes have developed because this study demonstrated that it was important — continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), new insulins, better [insulin] pumps…I think the most profound finding is that mortality in our intensively treated cohort is the same as in the general population. That says it all," Nathan told Medscape Medical News.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/994221
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Today, JDRF, the leading global type 1 diabetes (T1D) research and advocacy organization, urged members of the Senate Appropriations Committee to renew the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) and support policies to ensure insulin is available at an affordable and predictable price. Opened by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and led by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the hearing took place during the 2023 JDRF Children's Congress, a biennial event that brings over 160 kids and teens living with T1D face-to-face with lawmakers and top decision-makers. The youth delegates traveled to Washington, D.C. from across the country and JDRF's international affiliates in the United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada.
The SDP has accelerated the pace of T1D research through a long-term investment of funding at the National Institutes of Health. The program has led to significant scientific breakthroughs, including Tzield, the first disease-modifying treatment for T1D, which can delay the onset of the disease by over two years. Without Congressional action, the SDP will expire at the end of September.
"The Special Diabetes Program has fundamentally changed what it means to live with diabetes, put new life-changing therapies in our hands, and brought us closer to cures," said Aaron Kowalski, Ph.D., JDRF CEO. "We must keep this momentum going so we can capitalize on the progress to date and realize cures. However, until we have cures, people need access to affordable insulin. JDRF urges Congress to pass the bipartisan INSULIN Act of 2023, which will establish a $35 per month insulin copay cap for people with commercial insurance and includes other provisions that would make insulin more affordable for everyone, regardless of insurance status."
Dr. Kowalski was joined at the hearing by Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, who provided testimony on the scientific value of the SDP, and Jimmy Jam, award-winning producer, songwriter, musician, member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and T1D parent.
"My son Max, who is now in his twenties, was just two years old when he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Late nights working on music became late nights working on music and waking up my son to test and manage his blood sugar levels," said Jimmy Jam. "Type 1 diabetes should be one of those things we can all agree on. Diabetes doesn't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. We can all agree that there should be research to improve the lives of those with diabetes. We can all agree that insulin should be affordable for all who need it."
Two 2023 JDRF Children's Congress delegates shared their T1D experience with the committee:
Maria Muayad: 10-year-old Maria is from Maine and is a member of her school's civil rights club and math challenge group. Every November, Maria, and her mother, Golsin, give blue ribbons to the staff at her school in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month.
Elise Cataldo: 15-year-old Elise lives in New Hampshire and is passionate about educating those around her about life with T1D and tries to use things like pump site changes and blood sugar checks as opportunities to help others learn.
Following the hearing, the 2023 JDRF Children's Congress delegates continued their advocacy by meeting with lawmakers in their Capitol Hill offices.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2023-jdrf-childrens-congress-delegates-urge-lawmakers-to-support-type-1-diabetes-research-and-access-to-affordable-insulin-301874927.htmlXX
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A 23-year-old with type 1 diabetes has broken the record for circumnavigating Britain in a kayak after paddling 2,000 miles in 40 days. Dougal Glaisher beat the previous record by 27 days.
Glaisher was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 19 shortly after winning the Oban Sea Kayak race in Scotland, when he had blurred vision and struggled to recover his energy.
The expedition was to raise money for the UK-based charity Action4Diabetes and Glaisher livestreamed his blood sugar
On Tuesday he was well stocked with a bunch of bananas and a stash of cereal bars lashed to his boat. But in remote areas it was more challenging. Around the islands off Scotland he ran out of freeze-dried meals and survived on porridge for several days. He also sourced drinking water from streams.
. It is the first time anyone has used a surfski – a kayak that you sit on top of – to paddle around the country.
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On the podcast next week.. I sat down with Dexcom’s new Chief Commercial officer to talk about their announcements from this week about the type 2 market and other features important to people with type 1. Our last epoisde is all about Kickass Healthy LADA
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.
My son Benny is back from a four week trip halfway around the world with a non-diabetes camp program. He says it was amazing! To be honest, I had a really hard time with it. This week, we share how we prepared, what went wrong, how Benny deals with feeling different on these types of trips and a lot more.
This episode first aired in August of 2021
Previous episodes with Benny:
Benny & Stacey talk untethered and more on their way to the endo
Talking about Control IQ & addressing kids' questions about diabetes
Ten years of T1D - our whole family speaks up
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
This week, G7 updates – direct to watch announcements – and a lot more about what Dexcom sees as the next frontier in CGM. A conversation – from ADA – with the company’s Chief Commercial Officer Teri Lawver.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: FDA approval for a pancreatic islet cell therapy to treat type 1, stem cell research moves ahead, big news from the ADA Scientific Sessions about what's next for medications like Mounjaro and a pill form of semaglutide. Dexcom announces a sensor for people with type 2 who don't use insulin, Libre moves ahead with Ketone monitoring and more.
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by the T1D Exchange a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for the entire T1D population.
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Big week of news following the 2023 ADA Scientific Sessions conference. What follows is just the tip of the information iceberg, so please follow the links in the show notes to much more.
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Top story though isn’t from ADA – but a new FDA approval.. for a pancreatic islet cell therapy to treat type 1. It’s called donislecel, developed from cadaver donors and giving as a single infusion straight into the liver. Immunosuppression is required to maintain cell viability, just as it is required to support a transplanted kidney or other organ.
Approval was based on what seems to be a very small study – 30 people with type 1 who had hypoglycemic unawareness and who received between one and three infusions of donislecel. After one year, 11 people did not need to dose insulin.. 10 stayed that way for more than five years. But five people in the study were not able to stop dosing insulin at all. This method is different from what Vertex and Sernova are trying to do with stem cell therapy.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/993854
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Vertex moves forward on their clinical trial of islet stem cell therapy. All six patients treated with VX-880 had undetectable fasting C-peptide (endogenous insulin secretion) at baseline, a history of recurrent SHEs in the year prior to treatment and required an average of 34.0 units of insulin per day. Following treatment, all six patients demonstrated endogenous insulin secretion, improved glycemic control as measured by HbA1c, improved time-in-range on continuous glucose monitoring, and reduction or elimination of exogenous insulin use. Two patient are completely insulin independent after one year – with an A1C of 5.3 compard to 8.6 at baseline.. the other 6.0 with a 7.6 at baseline – again the ”after” number is without taking insulin.
As a result of these safety and efficacy data in Parts A and B, the independent data review committee has recommended moving to Part C of the trial, which allows for concurrent dosing of patients at the full target dose of VX-880.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623446641/en/Vertex-Presents-Positive-VX-880-Results-From-Ongoing-Phase-12-Study-in-Type-1-Diabetes-at-the-American-Diabetes-Association-83rd-Scientific-Sessions
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Sernova also reports good results with their cell pouch system. Five of the six patients who have completed implantation continue to experience insulin independence for periods ranging from six months to more than three years. The sixth patient only recently completed the protocol-defined islet transplants.. so no results yet. There is a second group testing a larger cell pouch.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/sernova-interim-data-cell-pouch-system/
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Big news from ADA about all of the type 2 and obesity drugs you’ve likely heard about.. here are some headlines:
SURMOUNT-2 clinical trial evaluating tirzepatide – brand name Mounjaro - for weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes.
Average weight loss was 15.7% at the highest dose, with many other health benefits such as lower A1C levels; reduction in waist circumference, and body mass index; and improvements in cardiometabolic disease risk factors such as lipid levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
That 15 percent weight loss was about 34 pounds and the a1c reduction for half of those in the study went down to 5.7 which is considered nondiabetic. Mounjaro is currently approved for type 2 and the FDA could approve Mounjaro regardless of diabetes status later this year.
https://diatribe.org/new-lilly-trial-results-show-big-weight-loss-results-positioning-mounjaro-obesity-drug-approval
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A study called PIONEER looks at oral semaglutides – some calling it the Ozempic pill. When compared to other anti-diabetic medications such as Jardiance, Januvia and Victoza, people taking the oral semaglutide say 1% or or more reduction of HbA1c compared to those treated with other anti-diabetic medicines. They also were more like to achieve a 5% or more reduction of body weight. Note: this was not a study comparing a semaglutide pill with the same type of injection.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230607/Oral-semaglutide-outperforms-other-medications-in-type-2-diabetes-treatment-significantly-reducing-HbA1c-and-body-weight.aspx
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And look for two additional new drugs to treat obesity in the next few years.. orforglipron, is easier to use and to produce, and it will probably be cheaper than existing treatments. The second, retatrutide, has an unprecedented level of efficacy, and could raise the bar for pharmacological obesity treatment.
Orforglipron and retatrutide both mimic hormones produced by the lining of the gut in response to certain nutrients. These hormones help to slow the passage of food through the digestive tract and lower appetite by acting on receptors in the brain — both effects that reduce people’s desire to eat and help them to lose weight. Orfoglipron is a non-peptide molecule that researchers say is easy to produce and is a pill.. a lower price is anticipated for this one. Retratritude looks like it could help people lose even more weight than Mounjaro.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02092-9
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Dexcom announces a new product in the US – coming in 2024 – designed for people with type 2 who don’t use insulin. This will be built on the G7 hardware, but with different software and a 15 day sensor.
CEO Kevin Sayer also announced that the G7 will be able to share data direct to the apple watch
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230623025076/en/Global-Continuous-Glucose-Monitoring-Pioneer-Dexcom-Reveals-New-Plans-to-Bring-Sensing-Technology-to-Millions-More
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Abbott will partner with Weight Watchers - people who have been prescribed one of Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 14-Day or FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors and who are using the WeightWatchers diet plan to see their CGM data directly in the WeightWatchers app.
This is also a study where Abbott will launch two pilot programs directed at using CGM data to help people with Type 2 diabetes adjust and manage their dietary habits, regardless of whether they’re on insulin therapy.
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A little bit more news about Abbott’s dual glucose and ketone sensor under development. Announced a last year’s ADA, the company says it’s moving forward through R&D
Separately from the Type 2 CGM push, Taub also offered an update on the dual glucose ketone sensor that’s currently under development at Abbott and that the company first announced at last year’s ADA conference. The sensor will be aimed at catching rising ketone levels as early as possible to help avoid cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. An Abbot executive says – quote - “There’s so much that we stand to learn about ketones because there hasn’t been a continuous sensor for them before, so there’s really very little we know about the evolution of ketones “
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/ada-abbott-pushes-widespread-cgm-use-type-2-diabetes-weightwatchers-ada-collabs
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Commercial
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Beta Bionics has received FDA 510(k) clearance for the compatibility of the Fiasp Pumpcart prefilled insulin cartridge with the iLet automated insulin-delivery system.
The iLet is a bionic pancreas that fully automates 100% of all user insulin doses, providing users with the choice of three insulins, Novolog; Humalog; and Fiasp Pumpcart.
The device eases diabetes management in everyday life and almost eliminates the expertise that has been required in the past to set up and manage a traditional insulin pump. In May 2023, Beta Bionics was awarded FDA approval for the iLet device.
The iLet manages glucose levels with just a meal announcement and is paired with a Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System for glucose readings.
All that is required for set-up is the user’s weight. While there is a need for carbohydrate awareness, no carb counting is necessary. Bolusing, correction factors, insulin-to-carb ratios, and pre-set basal rates are also unnecessary.
Beta Bionics president and CEO Sean Saint said: “Beta Bionics has been working tirelessly to create an insulin delivery system that offers less burden and more convenience for the type 1 community. Since launching last month, the iLet bionic pancreas is now available and clinics and users are being trained on its simple design and easy management features.
“When Fiasp Pumpcart prefilled cartridges are available, users will save time not having to manually fill cartridges and will have more choice for their diabetes management.”
https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/news/beta-bionics-gains-fda-clearance-for-prefilled-insulin-cartridge/
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Oura – the ring that tracks your sleep – will start sending info to three CGM info companies.. January, Supersapiens and Veri. All three of these companies provide software based off of the Libre CGM. These companies will now be receiving sleep scores and other biometric data from Oura so they can see how these measurements affect users’ glucose levels and overall health.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwilliams/2023/06/27/oura-smart-ring-can-be-used-to-help-monitor-blood-sugar/?sh=2520116c2b10
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Just a fun fact here – there is a Facebook group called type 1 diabetics for 50 plus years. And it looks like this week they passed over 1500 members.
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On the podcast next week.. I sat down with Dexcom’s new Chief Commercial officer to talk about their announcements from this week about the type 2 market and other features important to people with type 1. Our last epoisde is all about Kickass Healthy LADA
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.
LADA is a form of diabetes that is often mistaken for type 2 but needs to be treated much more like type 1. As you can imagine, getting the diagnosis wrong is dangerous. This week's guest, Jacqueline Haskins, says she got lucky. A friend said her symptoms sounded more like Latent Auto Immune Diabetes in Adults than like Type 2.
Jacqueline is the author of Kick Ass Healthy LADA where she shares research, advice and her own story. She’s an aquatic biologist and an award winning author.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Here are our earlier episodes around LADA
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
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Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
Katie Bone is the youngest ever American Ninja Warrior Women’s National winner! She is also a nationally ranked rock climber and has her eyes on the Olympics. Katie was diagnosed with type 1 at age eleven and is now seventeen. We talk about her big win, a recent injury and what she’s looking forward to next. She also answers a lot of your questions about managing T1D during training and competitions.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
More about Katie here: https://katiebone.com/
Watch Katie's NInja Warrior win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Jlvc3OwLw
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com