Diabetes treatment advances
There was also positive news on the diabetes device front.
Insulet said the 1st feasibility study of its Omnipod Horizon hybrid closed-loop system showed the automated glucose control algorithm performed well, with minimal hypoglycemia, and that it was safe for use by people with type 1 diabetes. Production is expected to start at a new Acton, Mass. plant in 2019.
DexCom meanwhile announced that CMS has classified therapeutic continuous glucose monitors as durable medical equipment under Medicare Part B. The company said the Dexcom G5 Mobile is the only continuous glucose monitor to that falls under the classification, with the Medicare coverage giving DexCom a potential competitive advantage.