Glipizide

MySugarWatch has pushed the pedal on an awareness campaign for its continuous non-invasive glucose monitor called sugarBEAT. MySugarWatch is the UK licensee of Nemaura Medical, a company specializing in developing wearable diagnostic devices. The company aims to cater to the awareness needs of the people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. The campaign, featured in the DailyMail, is set to reach about 1.2 million people. MySugarWatch aims to eliminate skin-pricks test strips historically used by patients to monitor blood sugar level for Type-2 diabetes patients. Studies show that 3.6 million in the UK suffer from Type-2 Diabetes while a further 12.3 million people are at risk of developing the disorder. MySugarWatch adds to the list of continuous glucose monitoring devices. It monitors your blood sugar level every 5 minutes, providing consistent data. The data is then stored in a dedicated app, which maps the 168 glucose level readings taken during the day. This allows you to identify trends and monitor Time-in-Range right from your phone. The device does require calibration with a finger stick; a reading each morning before eating is recommended. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) was difficult to achieve so far due to difficulties in procedure including regular needle insertion. CGMs like MySugarWatch that measure interstitial fluid glucose levels do not require a needle prick and easily allows patients to make lifestyle changes based on trends in their blood sugar level. These strategic changes will greatly help patients and healthcare professionals to manage, prevent and even reverse Type-2 pre-diabetes. MySugarWatch, unfortunately, is not for Type-1 diabetes patients, or patients who receive injectable insulin or who are taking sulfonylurea medications (Glibenclamide, Gliclazide, Glimepiride, Glipizide, Tolbutamide). As a result, it’s not completely useful as an “artificial pancreas” component. The product does have CE Mark clearance, but not FDA clearance yet.

Frank Westermann founded 9am.health after selling his previous startup to Roche. Photo credit: 9am.health Four years ago, Frank Westermann sold his previous startup, mySugr to Roche. The app, which lets people track their glucose levels, meals and exercise, became the foundation of Roche’s digital health services for people with diabetes. Now, Westermann is starting a new company, also focused on diabetes, with the goal of improving access to care. “I did a bit of soul searching, thinking about what do I want to do next,” he said. “I think where we can have the most impact is providing better access to care. We have amazing tools, medications but still a lot of people really struggle to get access to proper diabetes care.” Westermann and co-CEO Anton Kittelberger both have Type 1 diabetes, and are familiar with these challenges. When Westermann moved to the U.S. five years ago, he remembered going to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription, and being charged $930. “The same insulin, I paid 160 Euros for in Germany. How can that be?” he said. “It’s so expensive, when you talk about medications, but also test strips, CGMs — that’s the real mission that we’re on.” He and his three co-founders started 9am.health, a direct-to-consumer startup where people pay a monthly fee to chat with a care team, and get medications or lab tests delivered at home. The company recently launched with $3.7 million in seed funding, led by Define Ventures and Founders Fund. 9am currently charges a $25 monthly subscription fee, which includes the ability to chat with a care team, have a video consultation with a patient advocate, and have one medication delivered at home. Each additional medication costs another $5 per month, and at-home A1C and cholesterol tests cost $15 per month. “We are cash pay, and we want to stay cash pay,” Westermann said. “We think with our current offer, we can continue to offer our service for a price that is better and more affordable than your typical copay.” The startup currently has an endocrinologist and a pharmacist, along with registered dietitian nutritionists and certified diabetes care and education specialists. At this point, 9am does not include insulin, but it has some common medications for managing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, such as metformin and glipizide, and medications for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. In the future, Westermann wants for 9am to offer insulin, and said the startup is in discussions with manufacturers. He referred to Walmart’s partnership with Novo Nordisk as one example of bringing prices down. 9am faces plenty of competition. Livongo and Omada are making inroads with employers, by offering connected glucometers paired with coaching. Meanwhile, startups like DarioHealth are taking a direct-to-consumer approach with their own connected devices. But Westermann hopes that packaging together medications and care for cheaper prices will help it stand out in a crowded market.