Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The condition requires close and careful management to avoid severe health consequences. Today, people with diabetes have access to sophisticated automated insulin dosing (AID) systems that help in many aspects of diabetes management. IDTechEx forecasts that with further developments in AID systems, the diabetes management market can reach US$44 billion by 2035.
IDTechEx have recently published the market research report, "Diabetes Management Technologies 2025-2035: Markets, Players, Forecasts" covering diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pumps, digital health, and AID systems.
AID systems consist of a CGM for monitoring glucose levels, an insulin pump to deliver insulin, and an algorithm to calculate the amount of insulin to maintain the user in a target range. CGMs and insulin pumps are wearable, and improving comfort and convenience can be paramount to attracting users. This can be decreasing the devices' size (and weight), increasing their wear time, or completely changing the form factor. In CGMs, typical sensor lifetimes have increased from 3 days to 10 to 15 days over the past 20 years, drastically decreasing the frequency of changing devices and setup times. Within this space, CGM companies are catching up to the 15-day benchmark set by Abbott, except for Senseonics' implantable CGM, which has already surpassed it. Recently, its Eversense 365 CGM has been cleared by the FDA for 365 days of use. While users of the Eversense 365 also benefit from a removable transmitter, there are several drawbacks, including a procedure to implant and remove the device, and the need for regular calibration.
Future developments in decreasing the intrusiveness of CGMs could involve even longer lifetimes for implantable CGMs, or entirely non-invasive CGMs. However, both types of technologies are still being developed and will require clinical trial testing and regulatory approval. However, the more challenging hurdle in commercialization may be obtaining reimbursement. Overall, the CGMs available on the market today will continue their domination in the near to mid-term future.
For insulin pumps, the larger size and possible need for tubing make wearability and comfort even more important when choosing a device. IDTechEx analysis showed up to a factor of 10 difference between the lightest and heaviest devices on the market. One of the major changes in the insulin pump market has been the launch of the Omnipod platform by Insulet. Omnipod insulin pumps are wearable skin patches that do not require any additional tubing. Along with other factors, such as a difference in device pricing, Insulet has achieved strong growth over the past 10 years.
Market shares of insulin pump manufacturers. Source: IDTechEx
The most significant development that insulin pump companies and companies developing algorithms for AID can achieve will be the closing of the feedback loop and reaching full automation. This is also one of the biggest challenges in the industry. Current devices are already capable of handling basal insulin dosing, but the user is still required to input their meals to deliver mealtime boluses. A fully automated system needs to eliminate this step for users, but automating this step presents a significant risk for hypoglycemia should an error occur. Incremental steps have already been taken, with devices on the market today being able to account for skipped meals, miscalculations, and less detailed information on carbohydrates.
Simplifying the diabetes management process and improving outcomes has driven the uptake of more expensive diabetes management technologies, and the AID system should be no different.
For more information about the opportunities and challenges in the diabetes management technologies market, please refer to www.IDTechEx.com/Diabetes. Downloadable sample pages are available for this report.
For the full portfolio of healthcare market research available from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/Healthcare.
About IDTechEx
IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.
