The next generation of diabetes technology

On an earnings call last month Abbott's chief executive, Robert Ford, called the group’s continuous glucose monitor Freestyle Libre 3 a “very, very compelling product”. It is only compelling in Europe, however: though it was CE marked in 2020, it has yet to gain US approval.

Abbott’s rival Dexcom, whose latest glucose sensor was CE marked last month, is in the same situation. Developers in diabetes tech must innovate constantly just to keep up, and a new generation of devices is poised to enter the market. After that, the next step is even more crucial, as makers of sensors and insulin pumps seek to collaborate on creating closed-loop artificial pancreas systems.