Abbott and Beta Bionics: Advanced Diabetes Management

It is a dead giveaway that the management of diabetes will be handy with the Abbott and Beta Bionics partnership. The group plans to link Abbott’s continuous glucose monitor, FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus, with Beta Bionics’ iLet bionic pancreas. This would mark the first in the U.S. that an automated insulin delivery system, AID, uses Libre 3 Plus. It is expected to be introduced in the fourth quarter of 2024.

What is FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus?

The FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus is Abbott’s latest CGM. It continuously monitors glucose levels throughout the day and night. Users can view real-time glucose data via a mobile app to inform their management.

What are Beta Bionics iLet?

iLet bionic pancreas is the proprietary name for Beta Bionics’ automated insulin delivery system. The device was designed to reduce the hassle of diabetes management. It received FDA clearance in May 2023.
Its adaptive algorithm auto-changes insulin delivery based on body weight. One just needs to input his/her weight, and this device will do the rest of the work. For this reason, there is no need to make adjustments for specific times of the day, count carbs, or correct insulin.

How Do They Work Together?

This will now include integrating the iLet with FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus CGM. This integration shall allow the user to choose the desired CGM when functioning on the iLet bionic pancreas, affording more flexibility and increased options in the management of diabetes.

In designing the iLet Bionic Pancreas, Beta Bionics aimed to provide an even more convenient path toward less burdensome management of diabetes type 1. Part of that convenience is offering choice. This means that users will have the choice of which CGM to use in customizing their diabetes management experience.

The iLet System Benefits

In all these ways, the iLet bionic pancreas makes life with diabetes more accessible, as outlined below.

• No Manual Adjustments: With the system, no manual setting changes are made for changes in insulin doses.
• Ease at Mealtimes: Instead of counting carbs, users declare meals with it; it learns to adjust insulin to individual needs.
• Less Burden: The iLet system handles 100% insulin dosing and frees one from the burden of thinking about correction factors or insulin-to-carb ratios when adjusting the dose.

Other Abbott Collaborations

Abbott is also working quickly on automated insulin delivery systems. The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus is already paired with Insulet’s Omnipod 5 in Europe, and Abbott announced compatibility with Tandem Diabetes Care’s t: X2 system and said it was working with Medtronic on CGMs for their insulin delivery systems.

Jared Watkin, EVP of Abbott’s Diabetes Care business, said, “Abbott is committed to developing next-generation health technologies that make it easier for people living with diabetes to manage their condition and their overall health. Our partnership with Beta Bionics will provide an automated closed-loop system that is both accurate and easy to use, enabling users to think less about diabetes and more about their lives.”

Conclusion

This means that such integration is a huge step towards better management. Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus, paired with Beta Bionics’ iLet bionic pancreas, simplifies and personalizes diabetes management for users with greater precision. With such improvement, people with diabetes will have more options and tools to make healthier, more balanced choices in everyday life.