In the News: Medtronic CGM, semaglutide for T1D, Apple teases non invasive monitoring, Keto for kids? and more!

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 CGM from Medtronic is approved in Europe, semaglutides for people newly diagnosed type 1 may make a huge difference, a look at Keto diet for kids, Apple teases non-invasive glucose monitoring and Dexcom U is back!

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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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Our top this story this week a new CGM from Medtronic gets approval in Europe. It’s called Simplera – an all in one disposable CGM– no fingersticks and no over-tape, which is new for Medtronic. Simplera is integrated with the InPen™ smart insulin pen, which provides real-time, personalized dosing guidance to help simplify diabetes management. Medtronic will begin a phased launch at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany on Oct. 2-6, 2023.
Simplera™ is indicated for ages 2+ and compatible with iOS and Android. Simplera™ is not approved by the FDA and is limited to investigational use in the U.S. Medtronic's automated insulin delivery (AID) system integrated with this next-generation sensor is currently under review for CE Mark and is not commercially available in the U.S. or in Europe. I’ve reached out to Medtronic – we’ll learn more soon.
https://news.medtronic.com/2023-09-21-Medtronic-Diabetes-announces-CE-Mark-for-new-Simplera-TM-CGM-with-disposable-all-in-one-design
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A small study and a long way to go here, but a weekly dose of semaglutide, helped seven out of 10 patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes stop taking insulin after three to six months. Semaglutide is the key ingredient in Ozempic.. approved for type 2 and Wegovy, approved for weight loss. It’s also thought to tamp down the inflammation that can lead to the destruction of insulin-producing cells.
He noted previous research has shown that patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes still have the ability to make some of their own insulin, so the team tested semaglutide in patients within three months of their diagnosis. All ten patients were taking meal time and long acting insulin. After three months, all of them came off meal time insulin, and seven stopped basal insulin. Much more study needed here.. interestingly. Ozempic’s maker, Novo Nordisk noted it didn't sponsor this study and isn't pursuing trials of semaglutide for type 1 diabetes itself,
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/semaglutide-ozempic-wagovy-type-1-diabetes-insulin-study/

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a widely used diabetes drug that controls blood sugar can also prevent muscle atrophy and muscular fibrosis—which can help the elderly bounce back faster from injury or illness. Researchers from the University of Utah Health have found that Metformin has surprising applications on a cellular level. Their findings were published in the journal Aging Cell.
“We saw two things in our study,” Drummond says. “When participants took Metformin during a bed rest, they had less muscle atrophy. During the recovery period, their muscles also had less fibrosis or excessive collagen. That build-up can make it harder for the muscle to properly function.”

https://scitechdaily.com/researchers-discover-surprising-side-effect-of-common-diabetes-drug/
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Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have created a device for people with type 1 diabetes that may help produce insulin when needed.

Their findings were published on September 18 in The Proceeding of the National Academy of Science.

The MIT engineers reported that the small implantable device could carry hundreds of thousands of insulin-producing islet cells. Previous devices made for the same purpose failed and stopped producing insulin because they ran out of oxygen needed to create the insulin.

To combat this, the scientists created an oxygen factory on the device, allowing it to generate oxygen by splitting water vapor in the body.

The researchers said the device could potentially replace insulin injections in people with type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Caroline Messer, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, not involved in the study, explained to Medical News Today:

“Currently, islet cell transplant is limited to patients with a history of severe metabolic complications and consistent failure of insulin-based therapies. Long-term success rates are low, and patients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Conceptually, implantable islet cells that do not require immune suppression and create their own source of oxygen is nothing short of brilliant.”
MIT researchers said the device kept glucose levels stable for at least one month when implanted into mice. The device has not yet been tested in humans.

Researchers hope to create a larger version of the device and test it in people with type 1 diabetes. They expect this device to be about the size of a stick of chewing gum.

“We are eager to see this technology translate, but it does take time,” said Dan Anderson, PhD, the study’s lead author and a professor of chemistry at MIT. “We hope to see this technology in humans within at most four years.”

Although the researchers remained focused on treating diabetes, they indicate this kind of device might be able to be adapted to treat other illnesses that require repeated delivery of therapeutic proteins.

“This technology allows for an improvement in the current approach to implantation of units containing cells that produce insulin in response to blood glucose levels without requiring invasive surgery,” said Dr. Eliud Sifonte, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Medical Associates, who was not involved in the study.

“Historically, this approach has been difficult to maintain due to an inability to provide a good oxygen supply to those implanted cells,” Dr. Sifonte told MNT.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-a-new-device-may-help-with-insulin-production-for-type-1-diabetes
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Weight Watchers and Abbott announce their new app for people with diabetes. This is a WW app that integrates the use of a Freestyle Libre.
The app helps people with diabetes understand how food and activity impact their glucose levels. WeightWatchers had a team of nutrition and behavioral science experts designed its tailored plan. It aims to help people with type 2 diabetes form helpful habits and meet their health goals.

The plan has demonstrated success in helping people with diabetes lose weight and lower their HbA1c, the company said.
https://www.massdevice.com/abbott-weightwatchers-unveil-connected-diabetes-app/
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Keto and other low carbohydrate diets have gained popularity for type 2 diabetes in adults, but there are safety concerns for young people, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautioned.

Restricting carbohydrates in young people at risk for or with diabetes raises concerns for growth deceleration, nutritional deficiencies, poor bone health, nutritional ketosis, and disordered eating behaviors, Tamara Hannon, MD, of Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, and colleagues on the AAP Committee on Nutrition wrote in a clinical report to guide care.

Based on demonstrated risks, low- and very low-carbohydrate diets were not recommended for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, "except under close diabetes care team supervision utilizing safety guidelines," the group wrote in Pediatricsopens in a new tab or window.

Low-carb (<26% of daily calories), very low-carb (20-50 g per day) and ketogenic (<20 g per day) diets limit foods that can be included compared with the typically recommended diet, where 45% to 65% of the total calories come from carbohydrates.

Rather than cutting all carbs, the policy document urged focusing on reducing children's consumption of nutrient-poor processed snacks and sugary beverages but keeping healthy carbs found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.

However, there was a warning for clinicians in how they approach these conversations.

Hannon's group pointed to a survey conducted with an international social media-based group of adults and parents of young people with type 1 diabetes who chose to use low- or very low-carbohydrate diets as adjunct treatment. "Respondents reported excellent glycemic control but poor relationships with diabetes care providers associated with distrust and feeling judged about their diabetes management decisions," Hannon and colleagues wrote.

The medical team might do the most good when patients and their families elect to follow these diets by not alienating them.

 

However, they added, "Long-term outcomes of youth following carbohydrate-restricted diets on diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes are needed and may be underreported because of attrition."
For young people with prediabetes or type 1 or 2 diabetes for whom weight loss or maintenance is indicated, pediatricians can counsel them that a reduced energy diet -- irrespective of carbohydrate content -- is most important to that end, the authors noted.

However, any dietary restriction "can be associated with physical, metabolic, and psychological consequences, including risk for disordered eating in children and adolescents, with additional risk for those with diabetes," Hannon and colleagues noted.
As for carbohydrate restriction in young people at risk for or with diabetes, the hope is for more data.

Going forward, "we need longitudinal studies of growth and development in children/families who choose to utilize low-carb diets for the purposes of diabetes management," Hannon told MedPage Today. "We need studies that investigate more longer-term outcomes, including the possible risks and benefits."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/generalpediatrics/106386
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Commercial – Edgepark
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DexCom (NASDAQ:DXCM), Tandem Diabetes Care (NASDAQ:TNDM), and Insulet (NASDAQ:PODD) all closed lower Thursday following a report that Apple (AAPL) has named a new head for its project to develop a glucose monitor that doesn't require a skin prick for a blood sample.
Bloomberg reported that VP of Platform Architecture Tim Millet is now heading the project, known as E5. The plan would be to add blood glucose monitor capability to the Apple Watch.
Millet has been with Apple (AAPL) for 19 years.
DexCom fell 3.5%, Tandem (TNDM) was off 4.3%, and Insulet (PODD) lost 1.3%.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4012056-dexcom-tandem-diabetes-fall-apple-glucose-monitor-new-team-lead
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the global leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring for people with diabetes, announced today the launch of the second season of Dexcom U, the first-ever NIL (name, image, likeness) program exclusively for college athletes with diabetes, which had its inaugural season last year.

“I’m elated to come back for my second year and continue to show I can accomplish anything while living with diabetes”

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Dexcom U is a unique NIL program that was created in response to a 2022 survey which found that improving representation for people with diabetes can inspire future generations of athletes living with the condition. With about 17% of student athletes at Division I institutions participating in NIL activities in 20221 and that number expected to grow, Dexcom U is still the only NIL program designed to celebrate college athletes with diabetes and inspire people with diabetes who have athletic dreams of their own.

Throughout the last year, athletes on the Dexcom U inaugural roster participated in 381 collegiate competitions with the help of Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology. The impact of the program is set to expand in 2023 as the roster size grows by 43%.

“In response to last year’s launch, we heard from parents of young children, coaches and athletes with diabetes who felt seen through the stories of Dexcom U athletes,” said Teri Lawver, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Dexcom. “We’re thrilled to expand the program in year two and continue celebrating these inspirational collegiate athletes while proving that diabetes does not have to hold you back.”

Dexcom not only understands the pivotal role technology plays in helping athletes with diabetes feel and perform at their best, but also the importance of support from others who understand what it’s like to strive for athletic excellence while managing diabetes. A Dexcom survey showed nearly half (48%) of adults with Type 1 diabetes and parents to children with diabetes believe that being aware of a professional or top amateur athlete or celebrity with Type 1 diabetes would be very beneficial for a newly diagnosed individual,2 which is why mentorship continues to be a cornerstone of the program.

The Dexcom U 2023 roster consists of 20 athletes, including 11 new teammates, all who rely on Dexcom CGM to track their glucose levels* and manage their diabetes:

Amber Jackson, Track & Field, University of Louisville
Ava DeStefon, Cheerleading, Clemson University
Beau Corrales, Football, Texas State University
Bri Carrasquillo, Lacrosse, Yale University
Bryce Frederick, Baseball, Towson University
Cade Brown, Baseball, Murray State University
Caleb Fauria, Football, University of Colorado
Dante Vasquez, Football, Springfield College
Isaac Traudt, Basketball, Creighton University
Jaime Ferrer, Baseball, Florida State University
Jaxon Dowell, Golf, University of Oklahoma
Jessica Walter, Softball, Providence College
Joshua Meriwether, Football, Tennessee State University
Leo Giannoni, Baseball, Columbus State University
Madison Moraja, Track & Field, North Carolina State University
Marlee Fray, Soccer, University of Texas at San Antonio
Nicholas Hahne, Cheerleading, University of Notre Dame
Paris Husic, Track & Field, Wake Forest University
Raegan Lantz, Volleyball, Miami University
Tristan Wakefield, Rowing, Syracuse University
“I’m elated to come back for my second year and continue to show I can accomplish anything while living with diabetes,” said Bri Carrasquillo, Lacrosse player at Yale University and second-year member of Dexcom U. “My Dexcom CGM allows me to play at my highest level, while giving me, my coaches and family peace of mind by tracking my glucose levels through the Follow app.† I feel it’s important to educate others about the tools available that have made such a difference in my diabetes management.”

As part of the program, Dexcom has created educational resources for athletes with diabetes as well as for parents, coaches and teammates so they can better understand the disease and how to support the people with diabetes in their lives. Resources include first-hand advice from Dexcom U athletes as well as tips for managing diabetes, exercise and mental wellbeing – on and off the field.

“It’s a privilege to join such a special group of athletes and shed light on the important mission of Dexcom U,” said Dante Vasquez, football player Springfield College and first-year member of the program. “Not only does being part of Dexcom U give me confidence to perform at my highest levels with my Dexcom G7, but it empowers me to be a mentor and inspire the next generation of athletes with diabetes.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919150027/en/Dexcom-U-Kicks-off-2023-Season-With-Expanded-Roster-of-Athletes-With-Diabetes-Building-on-First-of-its-Kind-NIL-Program
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