537 million adults around the globe are living with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation’s 2021 report. Diabetes is a chronic illness that is difficult to manage. A diabetic patient needs continuous glucose monitoring, regular insulin intake depending on sugar levels and whatnot to avoid diabetes affecting their day-to-day life.
What if I tell you, all of these can be automated, and a diabetic patient can manage diabetes on their smartphone? Yes, you heard me right! Technology has made it possible. Tandem Diabetes Care, diabetes centred medical device company, got FDA clearance for bolus insulin delivery on the t:slim X2 pump using t:connect mobile app.
Sounds heavy? Don’t worry! All health tech will break it down for you to understand.
What is t:slim insulin pump and t:connect mobile application?
t:slim is a computerised insulin pump from Tandem Diabetic Care that mimics the work of the pancreas. It delivers small doses of short-acting insulin continuously (the basal dose). The pump can also deliver variable levels of insulin during meals (bolus dose). These doses are significant in keeping the blood glucose levels in control and are taken just before meals.
t:connect is a mobile app developed by Tandem Diabetes Care meant for all diabetic patients using the t:slim X2 insulin pump. The mobile application gives access to complete data of the insulin pump on the smartphone. It helps monitor the diabetic condition of the patient and administer the required amount of insulin in their body.
What is the technology behind the t:slim pump?
Tandem’s t:slim insulin pump uses connect IQ technology that enables the pump to automatically regulate the amount of basal insulin to be injected into the diabetic patient. Based on CGM and Connect IQ technology, t:slim can predict a patient’s glucose levels 30 minutes in advance and calculate insulin requirements accordingly.
Watch this video to know more.
What does Tandem’s FDA approval mean?
In Feb 2022, FDA approved t:connect mobile application to program the insulin delivery for t:slim X2 pump. Earlier, insulin delivery had to be done manually through the insulin pump. Now, using the app, diabetes patients can direct insulin delivery. Tandem Diabetic Care is the first company to gain FDA clearance for this.
In Dec 2019, Tandem was first to receive an interoperable automated glycemic controller designation with Control-IQ technology. In Feb 2019, it was the first to get FDA approval for alternate controller-enabled infusion pump classification. And in June 2018, Tandem’s insulin pump was the first insulin pump to be compatible with integrated CGM.
Also, Tandem’s insulin pump is the only pump to get FDA approval for remote software updates.
And to enable the new automated insulin delivery, the user needs to update the application. Once the application is upgraded with the latest feature, the t:slim X2 insulin pump users will be able to cancel or schedule bolus doses of insulin.
A little about Tandem’s history
The foundation of Tandem Diabetes Care was laid by Paul Diperna and a group of engineers as Phluid Inc. in the year 2006. A year later, Kim Blickenstaff joined the company as its CEO and President, and under him, the company began its research to develop the t:slim Insulin Pump. Later in 2008, the company was incorporated as Tandem Diabetes Care with a vision to promote a user-centric, comprehensive, and integrated approach to product development related to diabetes and customer care. They began with the thought that an appealing design and easy-to-use product would encourage people to consider the medical benefits of insulin pump therapy.
Tandem Diabetes Care got its clearance from FDA in 2011 to market their product t:slim Insulin Pump. Soon, they also received clearance to market t:connect Diabetes Management Application in February 2013. This year in February 2022, FDA allowed Tandem Diabetes Care to program the insulin delivery for the t:slim insulin pump.
What is Tandem’s funding source?
Tandem Diabetic Care.Inc is a public limited company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. It is registered under the ticker NASDAQ: TNDM.
Tandem went public in 2013 and raised $120 million through IPO. The company has also raised over $400 million in funding over 8 rounds pre and post IPO.
To conclude
Tandem Diabetes Care is trusted by thousands of people across the globe. And it aims at targeting 1 million customers by 2027. Its insulin pump and related mobile app are primarily used by people who have Type 1 diabetes, but several Type 2 diabetes patients also use it. The company is also focusing on developing products for Type 2 diabetes patients in the near future.
Tandem Diabetes Care, a manufacturer of insulin pumps and related diabetes tech products, continues to pioneer innovations and cutting-edge solutions for diabetes health care and management every year.
