Embecta, a company previously known for manufacturing pen needles and insulin syringes, has made strides in the development of an insulin patch pump specifically designed for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The company showcased two abstracts at the recent American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, which spotlighted the need and effectiveness of their new patch pump with an enhanced insulin reservoir capacity. This development comes amidst similar endeavors by other companies like Tandem Diabetes Care and Medtronic, following Insulet’s pioneering introduction of insulin patch pumps in the U.S. market in 2005.
The new device developed by Embecta stands out due to its large insulin reservoir that can hold up to 300 units, which is a significant increase compared to Insulet’s Omnipod 5, capable of holding up to 200 units. This feature is particularly advantageous as it allows for longer wear times and reduces the frequency of disposables needed, potentially enhancing convenience for the users.
At the conference, Embecta’s Chief Medical Officer, Henry Anhalt, emphasized that ongoing discussions with both individuals living with diabetes and healthcare providers underscored a substantial unmet demand for a patch pump that can accommodate larger quantities of insulin, reaffirming the data they presented. The larger reservoir aims to address this by potentially reducing the burden of managing diabetes, especially for those who require higher daily doses of insulin due to various factors such as higher body mass index or certain medication prescriptions.
One study presented examined the daily insulin usage among over 41,000 adults with Type 2 diabetes, finding that the average daily dose was 96 units, with variability influenced by many factors including other medications and demographic characteristics. The analysis indicated that only 38% of this demographic would have their needs met by a 200-unit reservoir for a standard 72-hour wear period, compared to 64% with a 300-unit reservoir. This data underscores the enhanced practicality of a larger reservoir in meeting the needs of a broader range of patients.
Embecta’s second abstract discussed the feasibility of transitioning patients who are currently managing their condition with multiple daily injections (MDI) to using the new patch pump. The focus was on alleviating the patients’ burden and addressing the challenges of frequent reservoir changes which would be necessary with smaller units. Eugene Wright, co-author and medical director at the South Piedmont Area Health Education Center, elaborated on how a larger-capacity pump could simplify diabetes management by reducing the frequency of changes, thus decreasing both the cost and inconvenience associated with managing the disease.
In terms of technological advancements, Embecta has already submitted the open-loop version of their patch pump to the FDA as of late 2023 and is concurrently working on a closed-loop system. This next-stage development is intended to integrate with interoperable insulin dosing applications like Tidepool, aiming to optimize the algorithm specifically for people with Type 2 diabetes, as discussed by CEO Dev Kurdikar in a recent earnings call.
While Embecta has not specified a timeline for when the patch pump will become available in the market, the ongoing developments and FDA submission mark significant progress towards providing an innovative solution tailored to meet the nuanced needs of those managing Type 2 diabetes. This new device could potentially offer a more efficient, user-friendly alternative to current insulin delivery methods, representing a significant step forward in diabetes care technology.
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