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Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

The T1D news show you've been waiting for! Long-time broadcaster, blogger and diabetes mom Stacey Simms interviews prominent advocates, authors and speakers. Stacey asks hard questions of healthcare companies and tech developers and brings on "everyday' people living with type 1. Great for parents of T1D kids, adults with type 1 and anyone who loves a person with diabetes.
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Now displaying: May, 2022
May 31, 2022

Diabetes camp is great, but what if there were a program to take teens with type 1 on a more adventurous journey? A new, international travel program to foster confidence and independence is in the works.

Savannah Johnson is the founder of Type 1 Way Ticket. Diagnosed as a toddler, she says travel as an adult changed her life. We’ll find out more about this new adventure travel program, what parents and teens can expect.

More about Type 1 Way Ticket

Go Fund Me Page here 

This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

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Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
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Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

May 27, 2022

It’s in the news! Got a few minutes? Get caught up! Top stories this week: Dexcom is reportedly in talks to buy Omnipod, Abbott & Dexcom sue and countersue each other over patents, new study showing people with type 1 diabetes are living longer, a JDRF advocate climbs Mt Everest, and more!

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

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Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. we go live on social media first and then All sources linked up at diabetes dash connections dot com when this airs as a podcast.
XX
In the news is brought to you by T1D Exchange! T1D Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for the entire T1D population.
https://t1dexchange.org/stacey/
XX
Our top story this week is still developing.. but Bloomberg reports that Dexcom is in talks to acquire Insulet, the makers of Omnipod. Neither company has commented publicly on the report. Bloombeg says, “Talks between the companies are ongoing and an agreement could be reached in the coming weeks, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Discussions could still be delayed or fall apart, the people said.”
Insulet’s stock has gone up and Dexcom’s has gone down. These companies already have an agreement in which the Omnipod and Dexcom CGMs communicate.. Dexcom also has an agreement with Tandem and some other companies – those aren’t expected to change in the short term, but there are a lot more questions than answers about this report. I’m scheduled to talk to Dexcom’s CEO in early June and we’ll continue to follow this story.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-23/dexcom-is-said-in-talks-to-acquire-device-firm-insulet
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Meanwhile, Dexcom and Abbott are currently going head-to-head over twelve separate patents covering their respective CGMs. Both companies are launching newer products soon, with the Dexcom G7 and Freestyle Libre 3 already available in Germany. Dexcom first sued in 2021.. Abbot then countersued.
A UK High Court will hold three separate technical trials, planned for December 2022, April 2023 and July 2023.
https://www.juve-patent.com/news-and-stories/cases/dexcom-and-abbotts-fight-over-glucose-monitoring-patents-intensifies-in-europe/
XX
People with type 1 diabetes are living longer according to a new study based on data from Australia, Denmark, Latvia, Scotland, Spain, and the United States. The years analyzed varied by country, but overall, they cover 2000 to 2016 and include 1.5 million person-years. The data show that country-by-country annual changes in age- and sex-standardized all-cause mortality among people with T1D dropped by between 2% and nearly 6% over the study period. The risk of dying was still higher than in people without type 1, mostly because of diabetes complications.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/all-cause-mortality-falling-among-people-with-type-1-diabetes
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A new study finds that herpes virus may contribute increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Herpes viruses are one of the most common viruses in humans, with 8 types currently known. Any of these can cause lifelong latent infections after an initial, usually mild or asymptomatic primary infection. Until recently, viruses had only been proposed as a potential trigger for the development of type 1 diabetes. This study was based on health data from nearly 2000 people, men and women, in Germany. The researchers found that herpes viruses consistently and complementarily contributed to the development of prediabetes and diabetes, even after accounting for sex, age, BMI, education, smoking, physical activity, parental diabetes, hypertension, lipid levels, insulin resistance, and fasting glucose.
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/study-herpesvirus-infection-may-increase-risk-of-diabetes
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This one sounds kind of odd, but a one-time diabetes treatment may lower average blood sugar and improve long-term insulin resistance and pancreatic function. The company is Fractyl, the treamtment is an outpatient proceure that applies heat to the intestinal walls to – quote – strip out and reset the mucosal lining, which can thicken over years from dietary fats, sugars and other foods. Fractyl believes this thickening contributes to the insulin resistance seen in Type 2 diabetes. The device has breakthrough FDA designation, but no approval yet. It is approved in Europe.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/fractyl-shows-its-intestine-resurfacing-device-type-2-diabetes-improves-insulin-resistance
XX
Right back to the news in a moment but first we’ve got a new sponsor. As I mentioned, The T1D Exchange Registry is an online research study, designed to harness the power of individuals with type 1 diabetes. It’s a research study conducted online over time, designed to foster innovation and improve the lives of people with T1D. Personal information remains confidential and participation is fully voluntary. Once enrolled, participants will complete annual surveys and have the opportunity to sign up for other studies on specific topics related to T1D. By sharing opinions, experiences and data, patients can help advance meaningful T1D treatment, care and policy Sign up at T1DExchange.org slash Stacey (that’s S-T-A-C-E-Y).
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Cameron Kenny just climbed Mt Everest and unfurled the JDRF flag at the summit. Kenny doesn’t live with diabetes, but his brother does. Kenny is an accomplished climber and raised money for JDRF during his prep and climb of Everest. I can’t seem to find his brother’s name anywhere, even in the JDRF posts, so if you know this family, please let me know.
XX
On this week’s long format episode, you’ll hear about Mike Joyce is set to complete an incredible long-distance hiking trail. It’s actually three trails – the longest in the US – he’ll talk about how he does this with type 1. Next week, type one way ticket travel – a new way to get teenagers with T1D to experience international adventure travel.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

May 24, 2022

Mike Joyce is out there – somewhere – on the Pacific Crest Trail. He set out a couple of days before this episode airs, on a 2600 mile long distance hike. It's part of his attempt to complete what’s called the Triple Crown of Hiking. He’s already done the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide trail. Only 535 people have completed the Triple Crown. Mike lives with type 1 and he’ll share how he went from pretty sedentary to long distance hiker and how he manages his diabetes on these incredibly long and challenging hikes.

This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.

Follow Mike on Instagram

Learn more about the T1D Exchange 

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

-----

Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

May 20, 2022

It's in the news! Got a few minutes? Get caught up! Top stories this week: new research that keeps beta cells safer after transplant, a new drug for type 2 also shows weight loss success, the makers of Afrezza buy a simple patch pump, Beyond Type 1 tackles mental health and diabetes and lots more!

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

-----

Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. we go live on social media first and then All sources linked up at diabetes dash connections dot com when this airs as a podcast.
XX
In the news is brought to you by T1D Exchange! T1D Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for the entire T1D population.
https://t1dexchange.org/stacey/
XX
Our top story, another approach to beta cell encapsulation. There are a few methods being tested to protect the transplanted cells from the body’s immune system. A new and promising one seems to be a new biomaterial in the form of microgel beads. This study was in mice only but after three months the beta cells survived and maintained blood sugar levels with no rejection drugs. Interestingly, this study put the cells into the omentum, not the liver as is apparently the usual spot. I never heard of the omentum.. in case you haven’t, it’s a layer of tissue connecting the stomach with the other abdominal organs. It’s non-vital so it’s safer if any complications take place. No word on when human trials might begin here.
https://newatlas.com/medical/microgel-beads-safer-path-cell-transplants-treat-diabetes/
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FDA approval for a new injection for type 2 diabetes called Mounjaro. It’s made by Eli Illy and is shown to lower blood sugar and can help patients lose weight. Existing medicines target a hormone called the glucagon-like peptide-1 that is involved in the control of blood sugar. But Mounjaro targets a second hormone, the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, as well. It is the first medicine to target both. While not yet approved as an obesity treatment, it’s performed very well in clinical trials for weight loss. One study showed it helped patients lose an average of 16 to 22 percent of their weight: That’s on par with bariatric surgery
https://www.statnews.com/2022/05/13/fda-approves-lilly-diabetes-drug-that-analysts-expect-to-be-a-big-seller/

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Big deal for MannKind, the makers of Afrezza inhalable insulin. They’re acquiring Zealand Pharma’s wearable V-Go Insulin Delivery Device. The V-Go is a patch pump that’s meant for people with type 2 – it delivers basal insulin at a set rate all day long and can give boluses only in increments of 2 units of insulin at a time, up to 36 units in 24 hours. The deal is expected to close by the end of the month.
https://www.mddionline.com/diabetes/mannkind-acquires-wearable-insulin-device-zealand-pharma
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Young adults who were at risk of food insecurity had an increased incidence of diabetes 10 years later, according to the results of a study from Washington State University. Although previous research has associated food insecurity with a range of health issues, this study showed a connection over time, which could indicate a causal relationship. The investigators could not identify the exact reason for this connection, previous research has shown that food-insecure households often have diets with lower nutritional values. The study results did not indicate differences among ethnicities or races, but they also said that a limitation of the study was the number of minorities in the sample, which could be too low to show a pattern, according to investigators. The investigators plan to evaluate food insecurity risk and health issues within American Indian and Alaska Native and American Indian populations, which they said are often left out of annual reports on food insecurity.

XX
Beyond Type 1 has a new mental health portal.. announced as part of this Mental Health Awareness Month. The global nonprofit is partnering with BetterHelp to provide affordable mental health resources and services to its online community with two weeks of free, professional online therapy. Beyond Type 1 will continue to expand the resources available on the site.. it’s not just for this month.

https://beyondtype1.org/mental-health/.
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Another entry into the quest to find a non-invasive way to monitor glucose. Movano Inc reports they have – quote - successfully validated the functionality of its proprietary and patented system-on-a-chip. They say this is designed specifically for blood pressure or glucose monitoring systems. It’s very early here.. they are also creating a prototype for clinical studies. But this tech got them a new patent. We’re keeping an eye on these non-invasive devices – it remains to be seen if any will be accurate enough to use to dose insulin.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/movano-successfully-completes-functional-testing-of-smallest-ever-custom-mmwave-sensor-designed-for-non-invasive-glucose-and-cuffless-blood-pressure-monitoring-301545710.html

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Right back to the news in a moment but first we’ve got a new sponsor. As I mentioned, The T1D Exchange Registry is an online research study, designed to harness the power of individuals with type 1 diabetes. It’s a research study conducted online over time, designed to foster innovation and improve the lives of people with T1D. Personal information remains confidential and participation is fully voluntary. Once enrolled, participants will complete annual surveys and have the opportunity to sign up for other studies on specific topics related to T1D. By sharing opinions, experiences and data, patients can help advance meaningful T1D treatment, care and policy Sign up at T1DExchange.org slash Stacey (that’s S-T-A-C-E-Y).
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Back to the news.. Big candy recall, so heads up if you use any of these for lows. It includes specific varieties of SKITTLES® Gummies, STARBURST® Gummies, and LIFE SAVERS® Gummies due to the potential presence of a very thin metal strand embedded in the gummies or loose in the bag. No illness or injuries have been reported. I’ll link up the specific lot and manufacturer information.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/mars-wrigley-confectionery-us-llc-issues-voluntary-recall-specific-varieties-skittlesr-gummies
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A college fashion design major has a unique senior project. Naomi Kinnamon spent her senior year working on a collection titled “Type 1 Of A Kind.” This series draws on her experiences as a woman with type 1 diabetes who struggles to find clothing that fits comfortably with her insulin pump. She’s lived with type 1 since 6th grade and says the most difficult clothing to find were dresses and jumpsuits. So she designed her own. Kinnamon showed off her designs at SCAD – the Savannah College of Art and Design and I’ll link that up in the show notes.
https://www.wsav.com/now/scad-senior-designs-clothing-for-women-with-type-1-diabetes/
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On this week’s long format episode, you’ll hear about the latest on the iLet Bionic Pancreas. Next week.. Mike Joyce is set to complete an incredible long-distance hiking trail. It’s actually three trails – the longest in the US – he’ll talk about how he does this with type 1.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

May 17, 2022

We've got an update from Beta Bionics, makers of the iLet pump. This is the system that, among many other things, requires very little input from the user. They’re hoping this makes it accessible for more people. Stacey talks to to interim CEO Martha Goldberg Aronson. She shares more information about recent studies regarding the Ilet, news about their submission to the FDA and a look into the future for this long-awaited piece of technology.

More about Beta Bionics

This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

-----

Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

May 13, 2022

It’s “In the News…” Got a few minutes? Get caught up! Top stories this week: racial disparities in treatment for kids with type 1, new study looks at oral insulin for type 2, nanoparticles tested to prevent diabetes and why is there a Squishmallow toy being marketed as having T1D? That and a lot more.

Full transcript and links to sources below.

Learn more about the T1D Exchange 

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

-----

Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. we go live on social media first and then All sources linked up at diabetes dash connections dot com when this airs as a podcast.
XX
In the news is brought to you by T1D Exchange! T1D Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for the entire T1D population.
https://t1dexchange.org/stacey/
XX
Our top story, Black children with type 1 diabetes experience disparities in health outcomes compared with other racial and ethnic groups with similar neighborhood opportunity profiles. That’s according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open. This was a very big study – more than 70-thousand patient encounters under the age of 21 from 2009 to 2018. They looked at something called the Child Opportunity Index. This It combines data from neighborhood-level indicators, like good schools, parks and playgrounds, clear air and safe housing. They found that the probability of readmission within a year was significantly higher among Black children with a very low COI category versus Hispanic children and White children at the same COI category. These researchers say doctors and educators need to be aware and include interventions that target racial disparities.
https://www.physiciansweekly.com/outcomes-worse-for-children-with-type-1-diabetes-who-are-black
XX
New research suggests the people of certain racial ethnic groups should be screened for diabetes at lower body mass index than white people. A recommendation that contradicts recent guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force. At a time when a lot of medicine is trying to rid itself of race-based tools this could be tricky.. but these researchers say that using a one-size-fits-all approach to screening, when diabetes is two to four times more prevalent and more deadly in Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans, is likely to result in underdiagnosis of the disease, and widen health gaps.
https://www.statnews.com/2022/05/09/race-ethnicity-bmi-diabetes-screening/

XX
New partnership between JDRF, Yale University and a company called NexImmune. That company has something called Artificial Immune Modulation nanoparticles and the idea here is to if that could work with Teplizumab to delay or prevent type 1. Teplizumab is already being tested as a prevention method and is back in front of the FDA. NexImmune says it’s wider plan is to use the body’s own T-cells to generate a specific immune response to prevent not just diabetes but other auto immune conditions and even cancer.

https://www.jdrf.org/press-releases/neximmune-yale-and-jdrf-enter-into-600k-research-partnership-for-type-1-diabetes/
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Oramed Pharmaceuticals announced this week that it has enrolled 100% of the patients in the world’s first Phase 3 study of oral insulin
This is being looked at just for type 2 right now.
The primary endpoint of the study is to compare the efficacy of ORMD-0801 to placebo in improving glycemic control, with a secondary endpoint of assessing the change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose at 26 weeks. They hope to announce results in January of 2023.
https://www.biopharma-reporter.com/Article/2022/05/05/Oramed-hits-oral-insulin-clinical-trial-milestone
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New partnership between two diabetes heavy weights. The Diabetes Research Institute, DRI Foundation Canada (DRIFCAN) and Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) have announced a research partnership
The CEO of DRI says "Type 1 diabetes knows no borders or boundaries; nor should the research to find a cure. There’s a lot of research funded by these groups, included islet and stem cell transplantation.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/diabetes-research-institute-foundation-joins-193300513.html
XX
Right back to the news in a moment but first we’ve got a new sponsor. As I mentioned, The T1D Exchange Registry is an online research study, designed to harness the power of individuals with type 1 diabetes. It’s a research study conducted online over time, designed to foster innovation and improve the lives of people with T1D. Personal information remains confidential and participation is fully voluntary. Once enrolled, participants will complete annual surveys and have the opportunity to sign up for other studies on specific topics related to T1D. By sharing opinions, experiences and data, patients can help advance meaningful T1D treatment, care and policy Sign up at T1DExchange.org slash Stacey (that’s S-T-A-C-E-Y).
XX
Insulet’s CEO is stepping down.. Shacey Petrovic has been in the role since 2019 and says she’s stepping down June first for amily reasons. Petrovec will stay on as an advisor for the next year to aid in the transition and support the company’s launch of the Omnipod 5. She’ll replaced by Jim Hollingshead, who’s been on Insulet’s Board for the last three years. He’s been the president of ResMed – a company that focuses on advances in sleep medicine- for the last 12 years.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/insulet-swap-ceos-amid-omnipod-5-insulin-pump-roll-out
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I feel like I haven’t done a newscast in a few weeks without mentioning model Lila Moss. After being on the cover of UK Vogue and making headlines at the Met Gala, she’s now showing off her Libre and Omnipod In a new Fendi and Versace ad campaign
https://pagesix.com/2022/05/11/lila-moss-wears-diabetes-monitor-in-fendi-versace-ad-campaign/
XX

Got an update for you on T1D The Movie. We talked about this a few months ago – Star Trek actor Noah Averbach Katz is producing a short film with type 1 at the center. He started a kick starter campaign and got a wonderful response from the start trek community which, along with the diabetes community, fully funded the project. I got an update that he is starting filming this week. He also says if you backed the project at the level where you’d get a token of appreciation, they’re working on those too.. more to come.

XX
Interesting find on the toy front. I had never heard of Squishmallows but people say the stuffed toys are soothing while others say it’s just a scam and there’s nothing inherently special about the plush toys. Either way, one of the limited edition plushies is being marketed as having type 1 diabetes. There’s nothing on the toy itself to show that it might use diabetes technology – this is just listed in the toy description on line. I’m trying to find out the story behind this so letme know if you know atying!
XX
On this week’s long format episode, you’ll hear about the Mental Health Plus diabetes conference.. the organizers said every conference has one session on mental health – we really need more. So they did it. Love that! Next week, as I mentioned, Dexcom’s Chief Technical Officer on the G7, some interesting new info.. and I asked him all of your questions.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

 

May 10, 2022

Dexcom's G7 is in front of the FDA right now. There are some significant changes to the system, including what’s basically a snooze for essential alarms, including the urgent low. Dexcom’s Chief Technology Officer Jake Leach answers your questions about adhesive, direct to watch, accuracy, and even mentions the G8.

Here's more information about the European approval (includes a video of the system)

This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

-----

Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

May 6, 2022

It's "In the News..." Got a few minutes? Get caught up! Top stories this week: An FDA hiccup for Vertex, Omnipod 5 starts wider rollout, New peek at Dexcom G7 features, Beta Bionic study info, "Hey Alexa, predict my blood sugar" and Healthline shuts down their main source of diabetes news and information.

--
Join us LIVE every Wednesday at 4:30pm ET

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

Join the Diabetes Connections Facebook Group!

Sign up for our newsletter here

-----

Use this link to get one free download and one free month of Audible, available to Diabetes Connections listeners!
-----

Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

*Click here to learn more about AFREZZA*

*Click here to learn more about OMNIPOD*

*Click here to learn more about DEXCOM*

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines of the past seven days. we go live on social media first and then All sources linked up at diabetes dash connections dot com when this airs as a podcast.
XX
In the news is brought to you by T1D Exchange! T1D Exchange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for the entire T1D population.
https://t1dexchange.org/stacey/
XX
Our top story – bit of a surprise for Vertex – the FDA puts a clinical hold on their newest trial. This is the company that made big headlines last fall – that New York Times article likely sent to you by everyone you know about a stem cell cure for type 1. That’s when Vertex reported data on the cell therapy from a single patient who achieved a “robust” restoration of islet cell function after receiving a drug called VX-880. That response is going strong they say at day 270. This week, Vertex showcased results from another patient and said a third patient has received the full dose. A company spokesman says they’re surprised by the clinical hold given the evidence so far and there have been no serious adverse events. They say they’ll work with the FDA to get the trial moving again as soon as possible.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/unwelcome-surprise-vertex-fda-slaps-hold-phase-12-diabetes-cell-therapy-study
XX
Insulet announces that Omnipod 5 has completed the Limited Market Release and will be rolling out to a wider audience soon. Those who signed up for what they call the interest list will be notified first – we’re told watch for that email this week. If you haven’t signed up, sit tight. Omnipod 5 still isn’t yet available through all insurers and at every pharmacy, but the roll out will continue slowly through the year.
https://www.omnipod.com/current-podders/resources/omnipod-5/faqs?fbclid=IwAR1fghbXl4uP4H3z8DGovriAocpZyDyPzLdPzME_taonv3_ZfPC3XqukHJY
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We’re learning more about Dexcom’s G7 – approved in Europe and in front of the US FDA right now. Sensors will have a bit of a grace period – they’ll keep working 12 hours after the 10 days are up. You’ll also be able to silence the urgent low and sensor fail alarms for six hours – that’s new. I’m talking to CTO Jake Leach for next week’s long-format show and he’s got a lot of info to share. I asked as many of your questions as I could, so please come back for that one.
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New study results about the iLet, the insulin only bionic pancreas from Beta Bionics. This is one of the many studies presented at A-T-T-D.. People in the study saw about half a point come off their A1Cs after 13 weeks and there was no increase in hypoglycemia. They also saw more than 2 and a half hours more time in range. The iLet is unique in that you only enter your weight and tell the pump system when you’re eating – there are no basal rates or a need to enter carbs. No timeline for release but the company says its regulatory submission is currently under FDA review.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/04/30/2433019/0/en/The-iLet-Bionic-Pancreas-Significantly-Reduced-HbA1c-and-Improved-Time-in-Range-vs-Standard-of-Care-for-a-Diverse-Range-of-People-with-Type-1-Diabetes.html
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Amazon.com's online pharmacy PillPack has agreed to pay almost 6-million dollars to resolve claims that it overcharged government health insurance programs by dispensing more insulin injector pens than patients needed. That’s the headline, but -editorial here – this story just shows a lot about what’s wrong with our system. Many of us have had this happen – used to be if you had a prescription for insulin pens, they’d just give you the box of 5 – even if the prescription was written for 3 or 4. Now, they have to break open the box and count out the exact amount. It’s not as though a patient was over-charged.. and that’s not the focus of this lawsuit. This was about government health insurance programs. I get it, we’re all paying for that in our taxes, but there’s got to be a better way. Maybe pass that co-pay cap, or let Medicare negotiate prices or just cap the price overall. Then this issue – and many others – goes away.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/amazon-unit-pay-58-mln-insulin-overbilling-2022-05-02/
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Walmart Health's telehealth company MeMD launched a virtual care diabetes program this past week. The initiative, known as the Walmart Health Virtual Care Diabetes Program, was developed for employers and payers as a standalone offering or as part of a comprehensive telehealth program. It’s a partnership with the ADA and includes a consultation with a licensed medical provider to discuss patient history, eating habits and more.
https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/walmart-launches-telehealth-program-aimed-diabetes
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Right back to the news in a moment but first we’ve got a new sponsor. As I mentioned, The T1D Exchange Registry is an online research study, designed to harness the power of individuals with type 1 diabetes. It’s a research study conducted online over time, designed to foster innovation and improve the lives of people with T1D. Personal information remains confidential and participation is fully voluntary. Once enrolled, participants will complete annual surveys and have the opportunity to sign up for other studies on specific topics related to T1D. By sharing opinions, experiences and data, patients can help advance meaningful T1D treatment, care and policy. Sign up at T1DExchange.org slash Stacey (that’s S-T-A-C-E-Y).
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An Australian company joins the diabetes conversation on your Alexa device. Jade Diabetes says their My Jade skill can centralize logging, dose calculation and dose management. It can also suggest dose changes within 3 hours. They say “Jade is the only system to use accurate predictions to alert patients of future risks at a given time.” It uses info from CGMs, connected glucose meters, digital pens and data from Apple Health.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220504005004/en/Jade-Diabetes-makes-Diabetes-Simpler-with-Alexa-Insulin-Dosing
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Really sad to hear that Healthline has decided to close down what I think has been just one of the best sources of Diabetes news & info.. Diabetesmine. It was started by Amy Tenderich after her diagnosis in 2003 and acquired by Healthline in 2013. I’ve had her and Managing Editor Mike Hoskins on the show many times. Amy’s amazing other project – D-Data Exchange will live on. These are the bi-annual #DData forums connect experts, advocates and innovators developing data platforms, apps, algorithms and next-gen devices to take full advantage of data-driven diabetes care. You may recall the term We Are Not Waiting was coined at the first D-Data exchange – it’s a cool place to be! The next one is coming up June 2nd, more info in the show notes.
https://summer2022-ddata.eventbrite.com
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On this week’s long format episode, you’ll hear about the Mental Health Plus diabetes conference.. the organizers said every conference has one session on mental health – we really need more. So they did it. Love that! Next week, as I mentioned, Dexcom’s Chief Technical Officer on the G7, some interesting new info.. and I asked him all of your questions.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts
That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

 

May 3, 2022

This week, we're having a conversation about diabetes beyond numbers. Yes,  there are a lot of those and they are very important. But have you ever stopped to think about the mental energy and emotional effort behind those numbers? Even if your A1C and Time in Range are what your doctor wants to see.

Our guests, Allison Nimlos and Sara Adams are therapists who both live with diabetes. They’ve come together to host a conference all about mental health and diabetes. Stacey asks them about a lot of very common issues and about how to start those conversations.

The conference takes place May 20-21. It's virtual - click here for more info.  

This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.

Check out Stacey's book: The World's Worst Diabetes Mom!

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Episode Transcription Below (or coming soon!)

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