The incredible progress in closed-loop technology that JDRF has fostered by funding and collaborating with academic institutions, research organisations and industry is poised to deliver an array of artificial pancreas (AP) options to the T1D community.
By partnering enthusiastically with academia and industry, JDRF first seeded, then cultivated, a thriving network of experts dedicated to changing the future of blood glucose management through automation. This collaborative strategy has led to the development of a rich variety of AP devices and closed-loop technology. JDRF’s partners and supporters talk more about the power of partnership in this short video. The video features WA’s Dr Tim Jones, one of the most respected T1D researchers in Australia.
Dozens of presentations at the recent American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions showcased the range of AP systems on the brink of reaching people with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Dr David O’Neal (University of Melbourne, Australia), compared a closed-loop system with one that incorporates a sensor-augmented pump with low-glucose suspend technology. When used overnight by both adults and adolescents, the closed-loop system kept blood glucose levels within a healthy range for a larger portion of time and reduced hypoglycaemia.
Dr Richard Bergenstal (International Diabetes Center, Minneapolis, MN), released the much-anticipated results from the pivotal trial of Medtronic’s MiniMed 670G hybrid closed-loop system. During three months of at-home use, participants had less hypoglycaemia and better glycaemic control. Eighty percent of the trial participants liked the system enough to keep using it after the trial ended. This system is currently undergoing FDA review processes and more will be known about release in due course.
Dr Trang T. Ly (Stanford University, Stanford, CA), reported on a closed-loop system designed for at-home, overnight use. The system automatically delivers small insulin boluses to moderate morning hyperglycaemia. Compared with predictive low-glucose suspend technology, this setup provided better glycaemic control with lower blood glucose levels in the morning.
Dr Francis Doyle (Harvard University, Cambridge, MA), did a head-to-head comparison of two different algorithms, the ‘brains’ that link glucose readings with hormone delivery to close the loop in managing blood glucose. Both options were safe and effective, and Dr. Doyle suggested that more advanced versions of the algorithms will likely perform even better than the basic versions he tested.
Dr Ahmad Haidar (McGill University, Montreal, Canada), evaluated an AP system that can deliver both insulin and glucagon versus one that delivers only insulin. He showed that the two systems kept blood glucose levels within a healthy range for similar portions of time during overnight use and had similarly low rates of hypoglycaemia.
In addition, Krishna Venugopalan, Director and Head of Research Development, Animas Corp., told JDRF that Animas plans to launch a pivotal trial of the hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia minimisation device it is developing in partnership with JDRF later this year.
JDRF Chief Mission Officer and Vice President of Research Dr Aaron Kowalski, sums up, “It is so exciting to see the variety of AP systems coming to life. Diabetes care is not ‘one size fits all’, and JDRF has led the way in encouraging innovation and diversity in this space so people with T1D can choose from a broad range of tools what works best for them.”