In the News... Walmart's new insulin, Omnipod 5 studies, stem cell updates & more!

It's "In the News..." the only LIVE diabetes newscast!

Top stories this week:

Walmart private label insulin, Omnipod 5 pediatric study, Afrezza pediatric study, Stem cell updates, A new extreme challenge for a T1D ultra-athlete

Join Stacey live each Wednesday at 4:30pm EDT at the Diabetes Connections Facebook page

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!
-----

Get the App and listen to Diabetes Connections wherever you go!

Click here for iPhone      Click here for Android

Transcription below: 

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.  As always, I’m going to link up my sources in the Facebook comments – where we are live – and in the show notes at d-c dot com when this airs as a podcast.. so you can read more when you have the time.

XX

In the News is brought to you by Inside the Breakthrough. A new history of science podcast full of “Did You Know… Stuff”

XX

The top story this week - Walmart launches the first-ever and only private brand analog insulin at a discount off the list price.

This new brand ReliOn Novolog will have vials priced at $72 and a package of pens at $85 – compared to the list price of $289 and $558 respectively

Walmart worked directly with Novo Nordisk for the manufacturing of this insulin which will be in regular stores this week and in Sam's Club locations in mid-July.

Interestingly, this price is not below the one offered already by using coupons from groups like GoodRX or even the insulin manufacturers assistance programs. If you need help paying for your insulin, I’ll link up more info on that as well.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-launches-private-label-insulin-at-discount-122021367.html?ncid=twitter_yfsocialtw_l1gbd0noiom

https://www.goodrx.com/novolog

XX

As expected, loads of info and studies from the ADA scientific sessions virtual conference that just wrapped up. Please check the links I’ll include because these are just highlights.

XX

Insulet is out with the results of their latest pivotal trial for the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System in very young children. The system improved time in range and reduced A1C in children 2 through just under six. I can tell you from experience, this is a tough age group for many reasons, including the fact that they can’t self-treat or really tell you what’s going on.

Parents and caregivers reported significantly improved sleep quality

Another Omipod 5 study with people aged 6 through 70 showed similar improvements. The system is awaiting FDA approval.

XX

ViaCyte, Inc. released preliminary clinical data from its stem cell-derived islet cell replacement therapy for people with type 1 diabetes. They show the implanted pancreatic cells produced their own insulin – which increase glucose-responsive C-peptide levels, increased time in range, and reduced A1C.

This method protects the stem cells in a pouch – that’s put very simply – Viactye is working on several different methods toward a functional cure.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viacyte-reports-compelling-preliminary-clinical-data-from-islet-cell-replacement-therapy-for-patients-with-type-1-diabetes-301320084.html

XX

Another company on the same track.. Sernova Corp also showing their  Cell Pouch transplanted with insulin-producing islets is safe and effective. One patient has finished the trial and has now remained insulin independent – that means no requirement for injectable insulin - for 14 months with optimal glucose control.

This is a person who’s lived with type 1 for 47 years..

https://www.thenewswire.com/press-releases/1k3wFKYMv-sernovas-principal-investigator-presents-interim-data-and-positive-patient-outcomes-of-phase-i-ii-t1d-study-at-the-american-diabetes-association-81st-scientific-sessions.html

XX

More from ADA conference - In two small studies, the ultra-rapid acting insulin Afrezza was found to be safe in children with type 1 and adults with type 2 diabetes.

Inhalable insulin is currently only approved for adults so the goal here was to look at safety.. which looks good. But it’s also worth noting that . Time in Range increased from 39% at baseline to 62% which is more than four additional hours spent in range each day!

https://diatribe.org/top-highlights-day-1-ada-scientific-sessions-2021

XX

New info in on Medtronic’s Extended-Wear Infusion Set. This is the pump inset that lasts seven days. This study shows that 75% of the time it makes it to the full seven days – Medtronic’s 3 day infusion sets have a 67% survival rate.

Device failure rates were very low – 8 cases out of more than 3-thousand sessions. Satisfaction was high – with people citing convenience of use, ease of insertion, and comfort of wear. This extended wear set is approved in Europe, available in Finland and has been submitted to the US FDA.

https://diatribe.org/day-2-3-highlights-ada-scientific-sessions-2021

 

XX

More to come, including news on Control IQ and an endurance athlete starts an amazing new trek.. but first, I want to tell you about one of our great sponsors who helps make Diabetes Connections possible.

• Inside the Breakthrough is a podcast that mixes historical wisdom with modern insight – it’s a science show that’s also entertaining. I love it. They cover everything from snake oil to the actual Eureka moment. There’s even an episode about the guy who discovered the importance of hand washing in hospitals and how no one believed him. And this all actually relates to diabetes! Listen to Inside the Breakthrough wherever you listen to podcasts..

Back to the news…

XX

Control-IQ continues to get high marks. This study looked at adults with an average age of 70 who already had A1Cs around 6.9. Three months after staring Control IQ, time in range increased from 64% to 87% which is 5 and a half hours more each day.  All of these adults had prior experience with continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps.

XX

Former guest of the podcast, Sébastien Sasseville, is off on a mission to cycle across Canada in 14 days! Sasseville is a Canadian endurance athlete – he lives with type 1 -  and it’s going to take about 250 miles a day to get to this goal.

Sasseville says he’s riding to bring attention to the issue of access to technology – he uses the tslim x2 and Dexcom G6 – and to support JDRF Canada’s Access for All campaign. He set off on June 28^th and is documenting the journey on social media.

 

Sebastien Sasseville cycles across Canada: https://www.facebook.com/CanadaRuns.

 

That’s Diabetes Connections – In the News.  If you like it, share it. And feel free to send me your news tips. Stacey @ diabetes dash connections dot com.

Please join me wherever you get podcasts for our next episode -Tuesday –  a conversation with Dexcom’s CEO all about the upcoming G7.. I asked him all of your questions.

Our current episode out right now is with Nick Jonas – sharing his thoughts on the new campaign to educate about Time in Range and talking about he manages his T1D during concerts, shooting movies and during TV tapings.

Thanks and I’ll see you soon