Abbott and Tandem Diabetes Team Up to Explore New Solutions to Improve Diabetes Management

Abbott and Tandem Diabetes Care announced today that they intend to team up to develop and commercialize integrated diabetes solutions.

The partnership will combine Abbott’s world-leading glucose sensing technology with Tandem’s innovative insulin delivery systems to provide more options for people to manage their diabetes.

“To help customers fully realize the potential of the latest advancements in diabetes technology, we’re ensuring our products have interoperability, creating a cohesive ecosystem where people with diabetes can manage their condition across devices from us and other companies seamlessly,” said Jared Watkin, senior vice president, Diabetes Care, Abbott.

“By bringing together Abbott’s and Tandem’s leadership and expertise, we can provide new ways for people to manage their diabetes that are impactful and can integrate easily into their daily lives, especially people who rely on insulin pumps,” he added.

The need for interoperability between diabetes devices is widely recognized in the industry.

Tandem’s t:slim X2™ insulin pump was the first to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in a new device category called alternate controller enabled (ACE) infusion pumps earlier this year.

The special controls for ACE pumps allow for reliable and secure communication with compatible external devices like Abbott’s next-generation FreeStyle Libre system, which would give people with diabetes the ability to select tools and tailor their diabetes management to best meet their needs.

Abbott and Tandem are currently in discussions regarding a final agreement for the technical implementation of device integration and associated commercial support activities.

“The FDA’s new interoperable designations for the various components of automated insulin delivery systems are making integrations of advanced technologies more straightforward, and we are looking forward to exploring these possibilities with Abbott,” said John Sheridan, president, and CEO of Tandem Diabetes Care.

“Our companies share a fierce dedication to helping expand the available treatment options for the diabetes community so that more people can experience the benefits of automated insulin delivery systems, using a combination of devices they feel best meets their individual needs,” Sheridan added.

This announcement reflects both Abbott’s and Tandem’s common goal to provide people with new ways to manage their diabetes that can integrate easily into their daily lives.