Abbott says its newest CGM sensor is the most discreet yet

Diabetes remains one of the most prevalent and deadly chronic diseases in the country, affecting nearly 15% of American adults and causing more than 100,000 deaths each year. In response, the landscape of medical devices designed to help treat the disease is evolving at a faster pace than ever before.

In keeping with that trend, Abbott last week unveiled the latest update to its FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring line. The medical device giant introduced the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor, which it claims is the smallest and most discreet sensor on the market.

The round device—about the size of two folded pennies—is worn just under the skin on the back of the arm to measure a patient’s glucose levels as they go about their daily activities. The sensor sends a patient’s glucose data to a mobile app and/or wearable reader every 60 seconds and can be worn for up to 15 days.

The sensor will be available in the next few months at U.S. pharmacies and medical equipment suppliers, an Abbott spokesperson said in an email.

“Because continuous glucose monitors are wearable devices, it’s important for people to feel like the sensor isn’t getting in the way of their daily lives. With the Libre 3 system, Abbott has created a sensor that’s as discreet as possible: one-quarter the size of other body sensors on the market today,” the spokesperson wrote.

The company says the sensor’s discreetness sets it apart from other sensors available on the market, such as those manufactured by Medtronic, Dexcom and Roche.

The new device is also designed for future compatibility with automated insulin delivery systems (AIDs). These systems, also known as artificial pancreas systems, combine continuous glucose monitoring with insulin pump technology to automatically deliver insulin when needed.

AID systems, which first came to market in 2016, help diabetes patients maintain optimal blood glucose control and reduce the personal burden of managing the disease. Some of the companies that make these devices include Medtronic, Tandem Diabetes Care and Insulet.

With the launch of this new device and the announcement of future AID integrations, Abbott continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation across its diabetes portfolio. Less than a year ago, the company acquired Bigfoot Biomedical, which makes a “smart” insulin pen attachment that collects data from a patient’s continuous glucose monitor to help calculate the right dose.

During a January call with investors, Abbott CEO Robert Ford highlighted that the company would earn $5.3 billion from FreeStyle Libre sales in 2023, up 24% in the fourth quarter alone.

“In terms of sales revenue, Libre has become the most popular medical device in history, and its growth has outpaced the market in 13 of the last 16 quarters,” Ford said on the call.

Photo: Abbott