In the News... Libre Freestyle recall, Dexcom 15 day launch, Omnipod & Tandem updates, Medicare price adjustments and more!
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Release Date: 12/05/2025
Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
A new company brings together two technologies: lab-grown insulin-producing cells and an implantable pouch designed to help those cells survive and function inside the body. Sernova makes the pouch, Seraxis grows the cells – together they are BetaNova hopes that bringing these two technologies together could move us closer to a functional cure for type 1 diabetes. So what does this merger really mean? What makes these cells different? And could this approach eventually work without immunosuppressive drugs and actually be available to millions of people with type 1? I'm talking with the CEOs...
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On this bonus episode of Diabetes Connections, catching up with Dexcom after the EASD international conference. I’m asking your questions about longer sensor wear for kids, changes to adhesive, what’s going on with the G8 and more. Plus Dexcom presented a few studies at the summer conferences about some pretty significant benefits of CGM, including fewer DKA-related hospital visits for people with type 1 and improved glucose outcomes for people with type 2 who aren't using insulin. This podcast is not meant at medical advice, if you have those types of questions, please ask...
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This week on Diabetes Connections In the News… A new combination drug shows big weight loss and A1C improvements for people with type 2. New guidance aims to cut down on adults being misdiagnosed with the wrong type of diabetes. Could trying to keep your glucose too steady affect your quality of life? Very low-carb diets for kids with type 1, and new research on putting early-onset type 2 into remission. The FDA clears an app that recommends insulin dose changes directly to people using injections—and approves a once-a-week insulin for type 2. Plus, new data on Lilly’s daily GLP-1...
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On this bonus episode of diabetes connections, we’re talking about the Beyond Barriers Innovation Accelerator. This is a project from Beyond Type 1 which is investing in community-based organizations and entrepreneurs working to close those gaps. We’ll hear about some really interesting projects from comic books for kids to apps for first responders and programs to help with cost… And we’ll zoom out: eleven years after Beyond Type 1 launched, what is the organization today—and how is it trying to make sure more people with diabetes have the opportunity not just to survive, but to...
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Shannon Boggs’ daughter Raelynn, was still doing backflips at gymnastics just days before she landed in the ICU in DKA and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Four years later, things look very different. Raelynn is starting middle school, taking on more of her own diabetes management, going to regular sleepaway camp, and even sharing her life with type 1 online — with hundreds of thousands of people following along. Shannon and I talk about that sometimes-scary balance between independence and diabetes management, why finding community changed everything for their family, and how she...
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On this episode of Diabetes Connections In the news… The ADA conference controversy continues with a boycott now, new patch pump approved, an update on long running research to reverse type 1, plus consensus guidelines on T1D screening, intermittent fasting for type 1, a new surprising study about COVID and T1D, statins, type 2 and dementia, and lots more.. This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider. Want to let you know about a webinar I’m doing with Abbott later this month. That’s Sept...
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This week on Diabetes Connections.. Now that Eversense 365-day has been out in the real world and is working with the twiist automated insulin delivery system, we’re starting to get a much better picture of what that combination can actually do. This week, Dr. Fran Kaufman is back with new data on Eversense 365, including some impressive results from people using it with twiist. We’ll talk about what they’re learning, who’s using the year-long sensor, and what may be coming next. And that next step is really interesting: a sensor with its own battery that could work even when the...
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A few years ago, when we talked about screening for type 1 diabetes, it still felt a little bit like we were talking about the future. That future may be arriving faster than we realize. Dr. Bryce Nelson is back on the show. After years as a pediatric endocrinologist, he’s now working specifically in autoimmune type 1 diabetes with Sanofi. We talk about how much has changed with screening, what we’re learning about who’s at risk, and the big question: how close are we to screening becoming a routine part of healthcare? And Jenny Hoffman shares what this looks like for a family...
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On this episode of Diabetes Connections In the news… The FDA approves a new indication and health benefit for Mounjaro, lots of CGM news including an update on Medicare coverage for people who don’t use insulin and a new study about using CGM when you don’t have diabetes, metformin and aging, statins and type 2, and did you know there was a Dolly Parton diabetes connections? That and much more... Check out all of Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to Learn more about Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! ...
info_outlineDiabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
We’re taught about what to do when blood sugar goes high or low, but almost nothing about what to do when diabetes burnout, anxiety, or fear takes over. My guest – Dr. Mark Heyman says the biggest thing holding you back with type 1 diabetes may not be your blood sugar — but the stress of managing it. Mark lives with type 1 and his new book, Live Free with T1D, offers what he calls an “operating system” for the emotional side of diabetes — practical tools for handling the uncomfortable moments without letting them make your world smaller. This podcast is not intended as medical...
info_outlineIt's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: big FDA recall around Freestyle Libre (see more below to find out if you're affected), Dexcom launches their 15.5 day sensor, Omnipod announces enhancements, Tandem tests a fully closed loop (with high fat, high carb meals) and lots more!
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Episode transcription with links:
Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.
Our top story this week:
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Certain glucose monitors from Abbott Diabetes Care are providing users with incorrect glucose readings, an error that has been linked with the deaths of at least seven people and more than 700 serious injuries worldwide, according to an alert from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Incorrect glucose readings can lead to improper treatment. Abbott warned that about 3 million FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors are affected, but no other Libre products. Patients can visit FreeStyleCheck.com to see if their sensors are affected and to get a replacement for free.
The FDA has also published specific information about the affected products in its alert. The agency considers this to be a “potentially high-risk issue” and will continue to update its website as information becomes available.
“Patients should verify if their sensors are impacted and immediately discontinue use and dispose of the affected sensor(s),” the FDA said.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/health/abbott-diabetes-glucose-monitors
https://www.freestylecheck.com/us-en/home.html
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Omnipod 5 is getting some enhancements.. and Omnipod 6 is announced. The FDA cleared updates including a lower, 100 mg/dL target glucose option and what they call a more seamless automated experience.
“This is the most significant algorithm advancement to our Omnipod 5 System since its launch in 2022,” said Eric Benjamin, Insulet EVP and COO.
Insulet said the new 100 mg/dL target glucose expands Omnipod 5’s customization range. It now features six settings between 100 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL in 10 mg/dL increments. The company said this flexibility allows healthcare providers to tailor insulin delivery more precisely. It supports individuals seeking tighter glucose management or aiming to meet specific glucose goals.
Omnipod 5’s latest upgrades also help users stay in “Automated Mode” with fewer interruptions, even during prolonged high glucose events.
Insulet plans to launch the updates to the algorithm in the first half of 2026.
The company announced plans for an Omnipod 6 – without a lot of detail - at the company’s Investor Day event in November. They also talked about a new, fully closed-loop pump for the type 2 diabetes population.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/insulet-fda-clearance-omnipod-5-algorithm-enhancements/
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Dexcom, the global leader in glucose biosensing, announced today that the Dexcom G7 15 Day Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System will launch in the United States on Dec. 1, making it the longest-lasting CGM system with 15.5 days of wear.
Dexcom G7 15 Day will first be available through durable medical equipment (DME) providers on Dec. 1 with full retail launch in the coming weeks. Dexcom G7 15 Day will also be covered for Medicare beneficiaries.
Dexcom G7 15 Day’s industry-leading wear-time will provide fewer sensor changes, less disruption and more time for people with diabetes to benefit from life-changing CGM technology.
New with Dexcom G7 15 Day:
Longest lasting CGM system with 15.5 days of wear.
Best-in-class accuracy1 with an overall MARD of 8.0%.
Easier glucose management with fewer monthly sensor changes and reduced monthly waste.
This follows yesterday’s announcement – the FDA has cleared Dexcom Smart Basal, the first and only CGM-integrated basal insulin dosing optimizer designed for adults 18 and older with Type 2 diabetes using long-acting insulin. Dexcom Smart Basal will use Dexcom G7 15 Day sensor data and logged doses to calculate personalized daily recommendations to guide users towards a more effective long-acting insulin dose, as directed by their healthcare provider.
At launch, Dexcom G7 15 Day will connect with the iLet Bionic Pancreas and Omnipod® 5§§. We are working closely with Tandem and look forward to extending the launch to their customers shortly as they finalize integration. For specific information on pump compatibility and availability with the Dexcom G7 15 Day system, visit Dexcom.com/connectedpumps
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A small study of ten adults with type 1 diabetes tested Tandem’s new fully closed-loop “Freedom” insulin system — and the participants put it through a real-world stress test. For 72 hours in a hotel setting, they ate heavy carb-and-fat meals, skipped all meal announcements, and didn’t give any mealtime insulin boluses. The system handled almost everything automatically. Researchers said the device stayed in closed-loop mode 97% of the time and there were no incidents of diabetic ketoacidosis or severe hypoglycemia reported.
While using the Freedom system, participants spent a median 61% of the day in the glucose target range — slightly higher than the 56% achieved with their usual pump at home. But the biggest improvement came overnight: time in range jumped to 96% with the closed-loop system compared to just under 70% during their home-pump week. With almost zero time spent below 70 mg/dL, researchers concluded that the fully automated Tandem system was both safe and effective even with unannounced, high-impact meals — hinting at a future of diabetes management that demands less effort from users.
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Novo Nordisk reported promising mid-stage results for its experimental drug amycretin (AM-ee-creht-in) in diabetes patients on Tuesday.
Amycretin, targets both GLP-1 and amylin hormones. In this study, it helped patients with type 2 diabetes lose up to 14.5% of their body weight over 36 weeks with weekly injections, far outperforming a placebo. The oral version delivered weight loss of up to 10.1%.
Rival Eli Lilly is surging ahead with its own amylin-based drug, eloralintide, which is advancing to late-stage testing after helping patients shed as much as 20% of their weight in a mid-stage trial.
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The U.S. Medicare health plan said on Tuesday that newly negotiated prices for 15 of its costliest drugs will save 36% on those medications compared with recent annual spending, or about $8.5 billion in net covered prescription costs.
The prices go into effect in 2027, including a monthly price of $274 for Novo Nordisk's popular GLP-1 drug semaglutide, sold as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes.
medicare's recent net price for Ozempic, opens new tab was $428 a month, according to an analysis published in the Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy. Medicare put the drug's list price, before confidential rebates and discounts, at $959 a month.
Based on such nondiscounted list prices, Medicare said savings on the 15 drugs ranged from 38% to 85%.
The annual price negotiations were established under President Joe Biden's signature Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. Previously, Medicare was barred by law from negotiating with drugmakers.
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LifeScan announced its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan received U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval. LifeScan said it’s positioned to emerge from its financial restructuring process by the end of the year.
The CEO says, “This balance sheet restructuring provides a stronger foundation for LifeScan to support our base business, advance new growth strategies, and commence our journey to become one of the most comprehensive players in the glucose management space.”
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/glucose-monitor-lifescan-emerge-from-bankruptcy/
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An artificial intelligence (AI)-led Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) was as effective as a traditional human-led program in achieving recommended goals for weight loss, A1c reduction, and physical activity, according to a randomized trial of adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity.
One example of a push notification: “Looks like you’re at the grocery store, Rita! Want a quick list of high-fiber snacks or smart swaps to stay on track this week?”
The app also provided location- and goal-based education, with gamification elements to promote engagement.
Approximately one third of participants in both the AI and human-led groups achieved the primary outcome (31.7% and 31.9%, respectively). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and individual components of the composite endpoint.
“As more AI-based programs emerge, head-to-head comparisons among different AI-DPPs will be informative. An AI-led approach will not suit everyone; some individuals benefit more from human interaction and accountability,” said Mathioudakis, adding that future research should focus on best matching patients to the modalities they prefer.
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A new study suggets metformin could help people with type 1, reducing the need for insulin. The researchers were surprised to find that metformin did not improve insulin resistance or change blood sugar levels. This suggests that, unlike in type 2 diabetes, metformin doesn't combat insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes.
However, metformin did reduce the amount of insulin people needed to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
https://www.the-express.com/news/health/192157/diabetes-medicine-insulin-type-1
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Beyond Type 1 launches #TheBeyondType campaign in India to combat type 1 diabetes stigma. Nick Jonas is one of the founders of Beyond Type 1, his wife, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is his partner in this new non profit.
The initiative highlights inspiring individuals living with T1D and partners with local organisations to improve awareness, medical support, and community networks for affected families across the nation.
India has more young people living with T1D than any other nation, yet understanding of the condition remains limited.
Beyond Type 1 is partnering with grassroots organisations across high-need regions. These include HRIDAY in Delhi–NCR, Nityaasha Foundation in Pune, Gram Jyoti in Jharkhand, and SAMATVAM Trust in Bangalore—each group focusing on improving awareness, providing medical support and building stronger community networks for young people with T1D.