Next generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems that replace finger sticks could enable more people to control their diabetes by providing real-time, actionable information.
DexCom, Inc. a leader in CGM for people with diabetes, has entered into an agreement with the life sciences team at Google to jointly develop low-cost, small, bandage-sized sensors connected to the cloud.
These new products will incorporate
Google’s miniaturised electronics platform with DexCom’s sensor technology. The disposable sensors will be designed to minimise cost and will be intended for use across all diabetes markets.
“We’re committed to developing new technologies that will help move health care from reactive to proactive,” said Andrew Conrad, head of the life sciences team at Google. “This collaboration is another step towards expanding monitoring options and making it easier for people with diabetes to proactively manage their health.”
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia and is projected to become the number one burden of disease in Australia in the next five years. According to Diabetes Australia, around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes. This includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 estimated).1
Everyone with diabetes is at risk of diabetic eye disease and according to Professor Paul Mitchell, from the University of Sydney “almost everyone with type 1 diabetes will develop some form of diabetic eye disease within 20 years of diagnosis.
“Of particular concern, however, is that many people with the more common type 2 diabetes will have already had the disease for many years by the time they are diagnosed. A large proportion of these people will develop potentially blinding diabetic retinopathy within five to 10 years of their diabetes diagnosis.”
Reference
1. www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/diabetes-in-australia
