Diabetes Dialouge: May 2025 Diabetes Tech & Breakthrough T1D Updates

Welcome back to Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives!

In this episode of Diabetes Dialogue, co-hosts hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology, and co-director of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, program director of Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals Diabetes and Metabolic Care Center, discuss significant developments in diabetes care from May 2025, including Medtronic’s restructured business model, Sequel Twiist’s technological collaboration with Abbott, and Breakthrough T1D’s efforts to advance early detection of type 1 diabetes (T1D) through national screening initiatives.

The discussion opens with news of Medtronic’s decision to spin off its diabetes division into a standalone entity, currently referred to as “New Diabetes Company.” While the final name is forthcoming, the move is intended to streamline operations and accelerate innovation within the diabetes space. The hosts highlight the company’s promising technology pipeline, including the forthcoming 800 series insulin pump with full smartphone control and plans for a tubeless insulin delivery system. Both experts express optimism that the independence may foster greater agility in product development, enhance accessibility, and maintain a focus on user-centered design, including for populations with visual impairments.

Next, Isaacs and Bellini examine the announcement of the Sequel Twiist partnership with Abbott to integrate continuous ketone monitoring (CKM) into a hybrid sensor, which is expected to function similarly to the FreeStyle Libre 3. This device, still in development, will provide real-time data on both glucose and ketone levels—a critical advance for people with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps, who are at elevated risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). While excited about the potential for earlier DKA detection, Bellini emphasizes the importance of cost-effective implementation and integration with existing pump platforms.

The episode concludes with coverage of Breakthrough T1D’s advocacy before the US Preventive Services Task Force to support routine screening for T1D autoantibodies. The goal is to identify individuals in early stages of the disease to prevent DKA and misdiagnosis. The hosts note that despite advancements in understanding T1D progression, many patients remain undiagnosed until presenting with DKA or are mistakenly classified as having type 2 diabetes.

References:

1. Medtronic plc. Medtronic announces intent to separate Diabetes business. Medtronic News. Published May 21, 2025. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://news.medtronic.com/2025-05-21-Medtronic-announces-intent-to-separate-Diabetes-business

2. Sequel Med Tech. Sequel Med Tech to Integrate twiist Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System with Abbott’s Future Dual Glucose-Ketone Sensor. GlobeNewswire News Room. Published May 22, 2025. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/22/3086535/0/en/Sequel-Med-Tech-to-Integrate-twiist-Automated-Insulin-Delivery-AID-System-with-Abbott-s-Future-Dual-Glucose-Ketone-Sensor.html

3. Breakthrough T1D. Breakthrough T1D Submits Application to Make Screening for Type 1 Diabetes Part of Recommended Preventive Services in the US - Breakthrough T1D. Breakthrough T1D. Published May 21, 2025. Accessed June 2, 2025. https://www.breakthrought1d.org/for-the-media/press-releases/breakthrough-t1d-submits-application-to-make-screening-for-type-1-diabetes-part-of-recommended-preventive-services-in-the-us/