Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: T1D in the Olympics & Superbowl, Trump RX goes live, Ozempic pill available soon, tech updates from Medtronic, Beta Bionics, Eversense 365 and more!
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Omnipod - Simplify Life
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Episode transcription with links:
Welcome! I'm your host Stacey Simms and this is an In The News episode.. where we bringing you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. A reminder that you can find the sources and links and a transcript and more info for every story mentioned here in the show notes.
Quick reminder:
We are just over one week from our first Moms' Night Out event of the year. While the plans are all set – the speakers, the vendors, the raffles and the fun is ready to go, it's always amazing how many people hear of these event last minute. That's fine, they're welcome! But if you're thinking of attending a future event – registration is open for We're going to Nashville next March 6-7 and Detroit in September – no need to wait. And we've got Club 1921 events for health care professionals and patient leaders in 6 cities this year! All the info is over at diabetes-connetionss.com events/
 
Okay.. our top story this week:
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Gotta be a quick shout out to some incredible T1D athletes – we had TWO in the super bowl this past weekend – Chad Muma of the New England Patriots and Logan Brown of the Seattle Seahawks
AND there are at least two athletes with type 1 competing at the Winter Olympics. Hannah Schmidt competes in ski cross for Canada – she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 12 years old.  Anna FarnSchadt Fernstäd a Czech skeleton racer diagnosed in 2022 after she'd already been to several Olympics. We wish them all the best!
 
https://english.radio.cz/skeleton-racer-anna-fernstadtova-overcoming-adversity-headfirst-down-ice-8876699
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The government website TrumpRx.gov is live..  the website does not sell prescription drugs. Instead, it allows people to look up their drugs and then navigate to buy them elsewhere, either from a major drug company or a pharmacy. The 43 drugs listed on the site have prices ranging from $3 to over $5,500.
TrumpRx does include warnings that the site may not be the best option to save money on prescriptions. Each product page advises: "If you have insurance, check your co-pay first — it may be even lower."
For now, the website says its prices are for people paying with their own money, rather than going through insurance. The only insulin listed right now is Lilly's insulin lispro – and it's the same price as you'd find through Illy's insulin value program.
I looked up diabetes meds.. For example, if you have an insurance co-pay of $25 a month for Farxiga, a drug often used for diabetes, you would be paying $182 on TrumpRx.
As you can imagine, though ,this is complicated and as with most of our healthcare system, it may be good in some cases and not much help in other.  I'd suggest calling your local pharmacist or checking with your human resource dept.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/health/trumprx-prescription-drug-prices-consumers.html
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Novo Nordisk will launch some doses of its oral semaglutide for diabetes under the brand name Ozempic pill in the second quarter of this year.
The company said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Ozempic tablets in three different doses.
Novo says The new Ozempic name is intended to help patients and health care professionals more easily recognize the available treatment options for type 2 diabetes
Semaglutide tablets have been available under the brand name Rybelsus Ruh BELL sis for diabetes since 2019 but with different dosing.
The pill is also approved to reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events.
The FDA had approved the new doses based on a bioequivalence study and the clinical trial data for Rybelsus, Novo said.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-launch-ozempic-pill-diabetes-second-quarter-this-year-2026-02-04/
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https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/early-screening-for-type-1-diabetes-found-effective-in-children
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Possible new way to identify and track the progress of type 1 diabetes before clinical onset. A recent study published in Science Advances described the application of subcutaneous microporous scaffolds. These are inserted and have been shown to  identify changes in cancer, multiple sclerosis, and T1D by capturing changes of immune cells over the course of a disease.
This is a proof of concept study in mice.. so very early days.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260204/Implantable-immune-scaffold-predicts-type-1-diabetes-weeks-before-symptoms.aspx
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A large global genetics study shows that many key drivers of Type 2 diabetes operate outside the bloodstream.
In a major international project led in part by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Helmholtz Munich in Germany, researchers linked hundreds of genes and proteins to the disease.
The work, published in Nature Metabolism, points to a key challenge in diabetes research: the biology behind rising blood sugar does not play out the same way in every part of the body. It also shows why including people from many backgrounds matters, since genetic clues that stand out in one population may be faint or invisible in another.
Huge study, 2.5 million people worldwide comparing patterns across seven tissues tied to diabetes and four global ancestry groups, then asked a simple question: what do you miss if you only measure blood?
Across the seven tissues, the researchers found causal evidence pointing to 676 genes. Yet overlap with blood was limited: only 18% of genes with a causal effect in a primary diabetes tissue, such as the pancreas, showed a matching signal in blood. At the same time, 85% of genetic effects observed in diabetes-relevant tissues were completely absent from blood-based analyses.
The findings lay out a roadmap for future research aimed at understanding the biological pathways underlying Type 2 diabetes and developing more effective treatments.
https://scitechdaily.com/massive-global-study-rewrites-the-biology-of-type-2-diabetes/
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Express Scripts settled the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's claims its insulin pricing practices violated antitrust and consumer protection laws, and agreed to changes aimed at lowering costs for patients, insurers and small pharmacies
The settlement, first reported by Reuters, fits with that goal, and allows the FTC to pare down a case brought by the former Biden administration against Cigna's Express Scripts, UnitedHealth Group Inc's (UNH.N), Optum unit and CVS Health Corp's (CVS.N), CVS Caremark. The case against Optum and Caremark is ongoing.
Pharmacy benefit managers, which set how drugs are covered by health insurance, have faced a decade of scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers over pricing practices. While the industry has already made reforms, the settlement gives the FTC power to enforce broader changes at Express Scripts.
The 10-year agreement restricts Express Scripts' ability to engage in practices critics say contribute to high costs, like pocketing rebate payments from drugmakers based on the list price of drugs. The FTC estimates the agreement could save patients as much as $7 billion over a decade.
https://www.reuters.com/world/cigna-settles-ftc-insulin-case-commits-overhauling-drug-pricing-2026-02-04/
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Audio?
Congress has passed bipartisan legislation to extend and strengthen the Special Diabetes Program (SDP), a cornerstone of Federal investment in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. The President signed the legislation and it is now law.
Extends the SDP through December 31, 2026, and increases funding from $160 million to $200 million annually. Strengthens overall funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $415 million. Increases diabetes research funding at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) by $10 million.
Created by Congress and administered by the NIH, the SDP has contributed nearly $3.6 billion to T1D research and has played a role in nearly every major breakthrough in the field.
A recent study conducted by Avalere Health shows that of the nearly 3.6 billion invested into the SDP by Congress since the establishment of the program, the Federal Government has realized $50 billion in healthcare savings through improved health outcomes from the use of SDP driven therapies and devices
https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/congress-passes-bipartisan-extension-of-the-special-diabetes-program-securing-critical-t1d-research-funding/
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Dexcom is rolling out what they're calling AI-enabled enhancements to Stelo, further transforming how users track and understand their glucose health.
Expanded Smart Food Logging including a comprehensive nutrition database of more than 1M meals that provides a breakdown of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, dietary fibers, and more.
More ways to meal track including text search, barcode scanning or taking a photo of the meal, creating a seamless and intuitive meal tracking solution.
A redesigned Daily Insights feature which will introduce a new interface with more personalized recommendations.
The newest features will launch nationwide in the coming weeks.
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Beta Bionics has received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration following an inspection last year, the company disclosed on Friday.
The diabetes technology company said in a securities filing that the warning letter concerns non-conformities with the company's quality management system, medical device reporting, and correction and removals. The warning letter has not yet been posted by the FDA.
 
The company said in the filing that it has already taken actions to improve the processes described in the warning letter, and it is working on a written response to the FDA.
 
The firm does not expect the warning letter to affect the planned launch of a new insulin patch pump by the end of 2027. Beta Bionics unveiled a prototype of the device, called Mint, last year at the American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions. The company also does not expect the warning letter to affect its financial results.
https://www.medtechdive.com/news/beta-bionics-receives-fda-warning-letter/811140/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue%3A+2026-02-04+MedTech+Dive+%5Bissue%3A81423%5D&utm_term=MedTech+Dive&fbclid=IwY2xjawPwhDZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaUUcyYmNQWldjZ2xudElic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHouF8M3IstTyslPRgeHWUWVVdOAGOtzPWt_yNFcj9eYruqSPz3e86Iwcbpt8_aem_7q4D97vJVjHKfEwvoyUpgw
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Sequel Med Tech is reviewing co-founder Dean Kamen's ties to Jeffrey Epstein after recently released documents revealed new details about the longstanding relationship between the two men.
The documents show that Kamen visited Epstein's island, and remained in contact with him for years after Epstein was convicted of sex crimes involving minors. Kamen has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
In a statement, Sequel Med Tech said the Manchester-based company is aware of the documents pertaining to Kamen and – quote -
"Sequel's Board of Directors has unanimously decided to engage an external law firm to review these disclosures and provide recommendations aligned with our mission to serve people living with diabetes,"
Kamen has not issued a statement regarding his reported connection to Epstein.
 
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/04/metro/nh-dean-kamen-jeffrey-epstein-review/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/04/metro/nh-dean-kamen-jeffrey-epstein-review/
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/nh-inventor-placed-on-leave-after-epstein-messages-surface-report-says/3888569/
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Abbot reports 860 serious injuries linked to the recall of some of its glucose monitoring sensors. We told you about this recall late last year, these numbers are an FDA update.
 
 
Abbott said the sensors can provide incorrect glucose readings over extended periods, which could lead to users making dangerous treatment decisions, including eating excessive carbohydrates along with skipping or delaying insulin doses, potentially leading to serious health risks.
The company said it has identified and resolved the cause of the issue, which relates to one production line among several that make Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors.
 
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/abbott-recalls-glucose-sensors-after-seven-deaths-linked-faulty-readings-2026-02-04/
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Updates from Medtronic & Senseonics – and a first from Nick Jonas.. right after this..
 
I'm excited to share that the FDA has cleared the MiniMed 780G system with the Instinct sensor, made by Abbott, for people with type 2 diabetes.  Medicare has also now approved coverage for the Instinct sensor for use with the MiniMed 780G system.
This clearance and expanded coverage mean more people will have access to pairing our most advanced automated insulin delivery technology with the Instinct sensor, that offers a smaller, 15-day sensor experience. 
They're also launching the MiniMed 780G system Pump Evaluation Program. 
This program gives individuals living with diabetes the ability to try the full MiniMed 780G system at no cost for 30 days.† This includes the pump, the sensor of their choice, one month of infusion sets and reservoirs, everything but the insulin. They'll contact your doctor for you to get a prescription and get the process rolling.
https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/pump-evaluation-program
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Senseonics announced today that its Eversense 365 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) system received CE mark approval – that's European clearance.
 This comes on the heels of the launch of Eversense 365 with Sequel Med Tech's twiist pump, marking the first pump integration for the CGM.
Senseonics plans to launch Eversense 365 in Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden in the coming months. Meanwhile, Senseonics continues to work toward an FDA investigational device exemption (IDE) submission for its next-generation Gemini transmitter-less CGM by the end of this year.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/senseonics-ce-mark-eversense-365-cgm/
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A huge shout out to Dr. Emily Blum, who just accomplished riding 100 miles in Antarctica for Breakthrough T1D! Despite having no direct connection to Type 1 Diabetes, Emily has been riding and fundraising for BreakthroughT1D for 10 years now. She is an integral part of the Georgia Ride team, training and riding many miles, and most importantly has raised tens of thousands of dollars to support the cause of ridding the world of T1D. She is surgeon and deeply involved with medical innovation, with an incredibly busy schedule, but jumped at the chance to take on the challenge of riding a century on every continent. Having already completed North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and now Antarctica, only Africa and South America remain.

Emily rides on and continues to be an inspiration to everyone who meets her.
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https://diabetes-connections.com/t1d-connection-and-people-magazine-elise-zach-share-their-story/
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Nick Jonas's becomes the first artist ever to wear a CGM on an album cover - new upcoming solo album Sunday Best, releasing Feb. 6.
 The release says:
This marks a powerful step forward in normalizing diabetes and raising awareness for the condition on a global scale. This moment adds to the growing visibility of diabetes in pop culture, alongside milestones like a Type 1 diabetes Barbie and Pixar characters wearing diabetes technology.

Two years ago the FDA pulled down just about every insulin calculator app. A lot of them just disappeared, rather than seek official approval, but one of them – created by a teenager with type 1 – is back.
I'm talking with Drew and Mike Mendelow about the relaunch of T1D1, a free and ad-free insulin-dose calculator app. They share what it was like to navigate the FDA process, how they go international help, and what's next.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here.
Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Omnipod - Simplify Life
All about Dexcom 
All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:
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Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com

It's In the News.. a look at the top headlines and stories in the diabetes community. This week's top stories: UK looks at starting universal T1D screening, Dexcom's CEO mentions a new product, bariatric sugery vs GLP medications, FDA approves update to prescribing info for inhaled insulin, miscroplastic and diabetes link studied, and more!
Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here.
Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Omnipod - Simplify Life
All about Dexcom 
T1D Screening info
All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:
Facebook (Group)
Facebook (Page)
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Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 
Episode transcription with links:
(Stacey Track)
Welcome! I'm your host Stacey Simms and this is an In The News episode.. where we bringing you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.
We are less than one month from our first MNO of 2026. Please join us in Silver Spring MD Feb 20 and 21. It's going to be amazing. We're going to Nashville next March 6-7 and we're going to have a great event a Club 1921 we just added on Thursday March 5th for health care providers and patient leaders. All the info is over at diabetes-connetionss.com events/
Okay.. our top story this week:
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All UK children could be offered screening for type 1 diabetes using a simple finger-prick blood test, say researchers who have been running a large study.
This is the ELSA study - Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes, a first of its kind UK study. They tested blood samples from 17,931 children aged 3-13 for autoantibodies, markers of type 1 diabetes that can appear years before symptoms.
Families of children found to have early-stage type 1 diabetes received tailored education and ongoing support to prepare for the eventual onset of type 1 diabetes symptoms and to ensure insulin therapy can begin promptly when needed, reducing the chances of needing emergency treatment. Those with one autoantibody also received ongoing support and monitoring.
 
Some families were also offered teplizumab, the first ever immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes, which can delay the need for insulin by around three years in people with early-stage type 1 diabetes.
The second phase has launched and will expand screening to all children in the UK aged 2-17 years, with a focus on younger children (2-3 years) and older teenagers (14-17 years). The research team aims to recruit 30,000 additional children across these new age groups.
ELSA 2 will assess how screening can be scaled across the NHS and evaluate its cost-effectiveness.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2026/childhood-type-1-diabetes-screening-is-effective-and-could-prevent-thousands-of-emergency-diagnoses
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At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference Dexcom CEO Jake Leach says they're going to launch a new product outside the US. I'll link up that interview,
The full quote: "When you look at the outside the U.S., there are a lot of structures that are tiered. Patients have access to different types of products, so we've got a new one that we want to introduce that will add flexibility there. It's based on the G7 platform, just like Dexcom ONE+, but it has a unique experience that's tailored for a subset of users that, today, don't have access to Dexcom."
Your guess is as good as mine, but sounds more like a pricing or ordering issue than a new bit of hardware or software. Dexcom will also bring Stelo to some international markets this year. And plans a new mobile app experience for the wearable biosensor meant for people who don't dose insulin.
Leach also says G8 will be much smaller and with more capability. but is a few years away.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/dexcom-ceo-jake-leach-2026-roadmap-jpm/
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A new international consensus statement provides guidance for the use of diabetes technology during pregnancy for women with type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), or gestational diabetes (GD).
 
Organized by the diaTribe Foundation, the document was based on evidence where available, as well as opinion from an international group of experts in endocrinology, diabetes technology, and obstetrics & gynecology, among others.
 
This is the first set of recommendations specifically addressing the use of diabetes technology in pregnancy – and we'll link it up.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/new-consensus-statement-addresses-diabetes-tech-pregnancy-2026a100020d
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Bariatric surgery beats GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes across income levels. This study was published this month, looking at nearly 300 patients are 4 medical centers.
Success here is measured by lower blood glucose levels, higher weight loss (28% vs. 10%), less use of diabetes medications, remission of diabetes to the point of no longer needing to inject insulin, and reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
 
 
Bariatric surgery was better than medical therapy across all social backgrounds, they found, and not just in areas of higher deprivation. The ancillary study was smaller, and some of the participants randomized in earlier stages crossed over from medical to surgical treatment, and the reverse. The authors acknowledged and accounted for these limitations, along with the rapid development of more powerful obesity drugs not fully captured in the study. This was a long term study – more than 12 years – and by the end of the study more people were choosing GLP1 medications.
One dividing line: If someone hopes to lose 100 pounds, that's more likely with surgery than with medications.
 "Ultimately, we need large, long-term, well-designed studies to clarify the best strategy for a given patient."
https://www.statnews.com/2026/01/19/diabetes-study-bariatric-surgery-better-than-glp-1s/
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Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have reported for the first time that a father's exposure to microplastics (MPs) can lead to metabolic problems in his children, including diabetes.
This is a mouse study, but it looks at a previously unrecognized way in which environmental pollution may influence the health of future generations.
MPs are extremely small plastic fragments, measuring less than 5 millimeters, that form as consumer products and industrial materials break down. Metabolic disorders describe a group of conditions that include elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar, and excess body fat, all of which raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The team found that female offspring of male mice exposed to MPs were far more prone to metabolic disorders than offspring of unexposed fathers, even though all offspring received the same high fat diet.
 
 
The research team hopes the findings will guide future investigation into how MPs and even smaller nanoplastics affect human development.
 
https://scitechdaily.com/microplastics-can-rewire-sperm-triggering-diabetes-in-the-next-generation/
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The FDA has finalized four new recalls for certain lots of Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors due to ongoing safety concerns. We told you about this in November when Abbott says some of its continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors were providing incorrect low glucose warnings. Internal testing identified the issue—carbon building up in the sensors during the manufacturing process—and determined that approximately 3 million CGM sensors were affected. The sensors were distributed in the United States, Canada and several European countries. 
When Abbott shared that announcement, the FDA was still reviewing the situation. No recalls had yet been finalized. Now, however, the agency has announced four new Class I recalls.
 
https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/heart-health/fda-confirms-recalls-abbott-cgm-sensors-new-lawsuit-alleges-company-concealed-information
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Insulet brings back it's U.S. Pod recycling program, now making it available to all U.S. customers.
The Pod recycling program, offered at no cost to customers, enables users to request a recycling kit online. This allows them to return their used Omnipods. Insulet then decontaminates the returned Pods before transporting them to a company specializing in recycling for electronics and medical products.
Insulet began recycling pilot programs in Mass and California and are rolling it out nationwide.
Insulet also has "Pod takeback" programs outside the U.S. in several international markets. These programs enable customers to request a takeback kit by contacting their local customer support team.
 
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/insulet-expands-us-pod-recycling-program/
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Up next a new resource for a population at three times the risk for diabetes, but without a lot of access to health information. I
The first diabetes information website primarily in ASL has launched.
The site includes GIFs and videos on diabetes management and an ASL glossary of diabetes-related terms.
This is from University of Utah Health – Called Deaf Diabetes Can Together.
Deaf and hard of hearing people are at three times higher risk for diabetes, but access to health information in ASL is limited.
https://healthcare.utah.edu/newsroom/news/2026/01/first-diabetes-information-website-asl-launches
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Novo Nordisk ended all work on cell therapies, including a Type 1 diabetes program, in October – and now has found a buyer. Aspect has acquired rights to the assets and giving Novo an option to reengage for later-stage development and commercialization.
Novo is helping bankroll Aspect's development of the assets, investing in the company and providing research funding. The arrangement gives Novo a chance to profit from the programs down the line. Novo is eligible for royalties and milestone payments on future product sales and, having handed the reins to Aspect for now, can expand its role in later-stage development and commercialization.
The integration will involve the transfer of capabilities and expertise from Novo sites in Denmark and the U.S. to Aspect's Canadian operations.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novo-nordisk-offloads-diabetes-assets-aspect-amid-cell-therapy-retreat
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Lucas Escobar has carved a role by proving that healthcare marketing can be culturally resonant, commercially powerful and deeply human. As director and head of U.S. consumer marketing at Insulet, he has redefined how the Omnipod tubeless insulin pump shows up in culture, transforming a medical device into a symbol of identity, inclusion and empowerment.
 
Under Escobar's leadership, Insulet launched three breakthrough initiatives: Dyasonic: Sound of Strength, a Marvel comic collaboration introducing a superhero who uses Omnipod; The Pod Drop, which turned the sound of a pod change into a celebratory music track; and Omnipod Mango x Pantone, medtech's first color partnership, honoring the vibrancy of the diabetes community. Each blended creativity with purpose while driving results, helping fuel Omnipod's consistent double-digit growth and its position as the most prescribed insulin pump in the U.S.
 
Living with type 1 diabetes himself, Escobar brings lived experience to his work, using storytelling not just to sell, but to make people feel seen.
 
Click here to return to the 2026 MM+M 40 Under 40 homepage.
 
From the January 01, 2026 Issue of MM+M - Medical Marketing and Media
https://www.mmm-online.com/40-under-40/40-under-40-lucas-escobar-insulet/
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FDA approves an update to the prescribing info for Afrezza inhaled insulin. This is a revision to the recommendations for the starting mealtime dosage when patients switch from shots or insulin pumps. This is aimed at healthcare providers - the updated labeling was supported by results from the INHALE-3 trial. The FDA is still considering approval of Afrezza for kids – a decision there expect by summer.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/26/3225442/29517/en/MannKind-Announces-FDA-Approval-of-Updated-Afrezza-Label-Providing-Starting-Dose-Guidance-when-Switching-from-Multiple-Daily-Injections-MDI-or-Insulin-Pump-Mealtime-Therapy.html
 
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UK researchers have developed a calculator to predict whether someone is at risk for type 1 diabetes. They're hoping this helps in screening and in preventing DKA at diagnosis.
They used the TEDDY study to create this calculator, which right now is in beta form and only for kids and teens ages 8-18.
The current beta form of the calculator asks users to answer questions about four factors necessary to estimate a child's risk of developing type 1 diabetes: age, family history, number of confirmed autoantibodies, and genetic risk score.
The calculator has been given regulatory approval as a diagnostic in the U.K., and he's working with a company that's hoping to bring it to the U.S. in the next few months in the form of a home genetic test kit.
https://www.healthcentral.com/news/type-1-diabetes/new-calculator-might-help-predict-type-1-diabetes-before-symptoms-appear

Imagine getting your kids screened for T1D and agreeing to do it yourself, just to set a good example, and then your test is the one that comes back with type 1!
That's exactly what happened to Chris Dunn. She was positive for all of the autoantibodies and has since been treated with Tzield, the medication shown to delay the onset.
We're talking to her about all of that, what the treatment is actually like, how she's doing since and what her family thinks of the whole thing.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Join us for an All Things Camp webinar TONIGHT 1/20 8pm ET
Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here.
Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Omnipod - Simplify Life
All about Dexcom 
All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:
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Facebook (Page)
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Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com

It's In the News... the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now! Top stories this week include: new islet encapsulation trial, FDA agrees to review Tzield for babies and approves the MiniMed Go, Civica releases it's version of Lantus, Eversense launches with a pump partner, scholarship for college students with diabetes and more!
Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to  get your message on the show here.
Learn more about  studies and research at Thrivable here
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Learn more about  Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com)

Omnipod - Simplify Life

All about Dexcom 
Screen it Like You Mean It

All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:
Facebook (Group)
Facebook (Page)
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Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 
Episode transcript:
Welcome!
This is an In the News episode.. we're doing things a little differently this year, but we are still bringing you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.
We are rotating these shorter episodes with our longer, interview episodes.. but all on Tuesdays now. And that's why you'll hear ads on the in the news episodes. My usual disclaimer – we believe in the products advertised here but no one tells me what stories to run or what to say – the commercials are separate from the news. I know most podcasters don't do disclaimers anymore, but I come from traditional broadcasting and it's still important to me.
Okay.. our top story this week:
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Positive results for a phase 1 clinical trial of encapsulated islets in people with type 1 from Encellin. This first-in-human trial is assessing (1) safety and adverse events, (2) cell survival within the device, and (3) fibrosis, or scarring, around the implants.
As planned, ENCRT devices were removed from the initial five participants after 4 months of implantation. Analysis of the removed devices show:
minimal to no fibrosis (formation of scar tissue around the device);
robust formation of blood vessels around the device;
viable islets inside the device.
These results indicate that the device has the potential to host islet cells while maintaining sufficient oxygen and nutrient flow for the cells to work effectively.
Breakthrough T1D's Role:
Encellin's technology was originally developed within the Lab of Dr. Tejal Desai (University of California San Francisco) with funding from Breakthrough T1D, which was crucial in the formation of Encellin as a company and attracting subsequent venture capital.
https://breakthrought1d.ca/cell-therapy-trial-encellins-device-delivers-promising-early-results/
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The US Food and Drug Administration has accepted Tzield for priority review to expand the current age indication from eight years and above, to as young as one year old and above to delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D) in patients diagnosed with stage 2 T1D.
The target action date for the FDA decision is April 29, 2026.
 
"This priority review emphasizes the urgent need for innovative therapies like Tzield which has the potential to prevent the natural progression of T1D by delaying the loss of endogenous insulin production. This might be particularly significant in this young population, as it is well documented that the autoimmune attack that drives this disease in many cases, begins, early in life," said Christopher Corsico, Global Head of Development at Sanofi. "If approved, Tzield could represent an important advance for delaying the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes in early childhood, which would benefit patients and caregivers alike."
 
Interim data for the PETITE-T1D phase 4 study was presented at the 51st Annual Conference of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes and simultaneously published in Diabetologia.
 
Priority review is given to regulatory applications seeking approval for therapies that have the potential to provide significant improvements in the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions.
 
The safety and efficacy of Tzield in the PETITE-T1D population has not been approved by any regulatory authority.
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/05/3212420/0/en/Press-Release-Sanofi-s-Tzield-accepted-for-priority-review-in-the-US-for-young-children-with-stage-2-type-1-diabetes.html
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Sanofi said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepted a priority review to potentially expand the current age range for its Tzield type-1 diabetes drug to include children as young as one year old.
 
The French pharmaceutical company said Monday that the FDA's review could amend the lower end of the range for the drug, which is currently approved for children as young as eight years old.
Tzield would be the first disease-modifying therapy that works to delay stage three type-1 diabetes for children aged one and older—who currently have stage two of the disease, according to Sanofi.
 
The review comes after positive data from a Phase 4 study, and the anticipated action date for the FDA decision is April 29, Sanofi said.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sanofi-says-fda-agrees-review-064000083.html
 
Separately, The European Commission approved Sanofi's Teizeild (teplizumab) to delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adult and paediatric patients eight years of age and older with stage 2 disease, the company announced Monday. A positive opinion had been issued by the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use in November.
https://firstwordpharma.com/story/7057996
 
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The FDA clears the MiniMed Go app for multiple daily injections (MDI).
MiniMed Go, a smart MDI system, integrates the InPen smart insulin pen with the Instinct sensor made by Abbott.
Medtronic and Abbott entered a collaboration in August 2024 to pair insulin delivery and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technologies. Medtronic (soon to be a standalone company called MiniMed) launched the MiniMed 780G automated insulin delivery system with the Instinct sensor made by Abbott late last year.
Now, the technology can pair with Medtronic's other insulin delivery offering, the InPen smart insulin pen. MiniMed Go received clearance for individuals with insulin-requiring type 1 and type 2 diabetes aged seven years and older. It also received the nod for children aged 2-6 under the supervision of an adult caregiver. Compatibility for Medtronic's own Simplera sensor with MiniMed Go remains under FDA review.
Medtronic expects to launch MiniMed Go in the U.S. in the coming spring.
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/medtronic-fda-clearance-minimed-go-inpen-instinct/
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A new UNC-led study, published in the Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, is the first to highlight diabetes distress that people over the age of 65 can encounter when managing T1D, including the unique stressors in this age group. While the researchers found that markedly elevated levels of diabetes distress were less prevalent among older adults than in younger age groups, understanding the sources of that distress – and the people most likely to experience it – will help health care and public health experts improve treatment strategies for this unique population.
Around 36% of older adults surveyed in the study reported elevated levels of diabetes distress warranting further assessment and treatment. Older adults who identified as women, had higher hemoglobin A1C levels and had been to the emergency room in the past year were most likely to experience elevated levels of diabetes distress. The most common stressors included financial worries, T1D management difficulties and worries about complications.  An unexpected finding was that people who had been diagnosed with T1D at earlier ages or had lived with the condition the longest had lower levels of diabetes distress.
 
"Our group hopes to continue exploring the specific factors and experiences that contribute to diabetes distress in this population, and this study has highlighted areas for potential next steps. This work also closely aligns with ongoing projects our research team is conducting, including a clinical trial, ChargeUp."
https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/new-study-highlights-stressors-of-living-with-type-1-diabetes-as-an-older-adult/
 
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The FDA announced its plan to stop subjecting non-medical grade wearable devices to FDA regulations in an effort to clarify the agency's approach on AI and digital health.
The guidance builds on the agency's existing policy classifying low-risk wellness tools, such as fitness apps and activity trackers encouraging exercise, as non-medical devices exempt from tight regulation, provided they don't associate claims related to disease diagnosis or treatment.
When asked about the accuracy of these general wellness devices Makary told Fox News, "If they're not making claims that they are medical grade, let's let the market decide. Let's let doctors choose from a competitive marketplace which ones they recommend for their patients."
I'm watching this closely, curious to see which will be the first diabetes related product through the gate.
General Wellness: Policy for Low Risk Devices U.S. Food and Drug Association January 6, 2026https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/general-wellness-policy-low-risk-devices
https://www.pharmexec.com/view/fda-limits-regulations-non-medical-grade-wearable-fitness-devices
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Senseonics announced today that it began the launch of its Eversense 365 sensor with the Sequel Med Tech twiist pump. This is the first pump pairing with the implantable one-year CGM.
The system features what they're calling iiSure technology, which includes four checkpoints to provide accurate delivery and alert users to blockages quickly. Cleared for ages six and up with type 1 diabetes, it offers a personalized way to manage the condition. Sequel began its rollout for the AID system in 2025.
 
https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/senseonics-sequel-launch-eversense-365-twiist/
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Interesting study testing GIP in men with type 1. You've heard of GIP – it's in drugs like terzepatide along with GLP-1, these are hormones for blood sugar control and weight loss. These Danish researchers tested whether giving a GIP intraveneoiusly would level out blood sugar after meals in settings that put the men at high risk for low blood sugar, like exercise. It did not prevent lows.. but it did reduce peak glucose levels after meals.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/gip-reduces-meal-peaks-not-hypoglycaemia-t1d-2026a10000bx
 
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Nearly 3 years after Breakthrough T1D joined forces with Civica, a non-profit pharmaceutical company, its first insulin is now available for purchase at pharmacies across the country.
This is a long acting insulin interchangeable with Lantus.
Called Civica insulin glargine-yfgn. It will have a "CalRx" label in California.
Max recommended price: $55 per box of five pens. Your cost may be lower depending on insurance. This is the lowest list price for long-acting insulin, without hidden rebates or markups.
Yes. If you already have a prescription for insulin glargine (e.g., Lantus), you do not need a new one because Civica insulin glargine-yfgn is interchangeable. Confirm with your provider and pharmacist.
https://www.breakthrought1d.org/news-and-updates/civicas-affordable-long-acting-insulin-now-available/
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https://www.healthline.com/health-news/coffee-may-improve-heart-health-lower-diabetes-risk
A familiar name to many of you starts a new venture.. that's right after this:
AD #2
Dexcom
 
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Interesting news from a power player in diabetes. Marie Schiller announced a new resource for the diabetes community – a company called Locasana and a consumer brand called Health Sites. Schiller wrote on LinkedIn that she'll be CEO of the company that seeks to development an at-home diagnostic concept to assess tissue and skin health. Healthy Sites, a consumer brand dedicated to helping people care for their skin before, during, and after therapy. Many people struggle with issues like "pump bumps," redness, bruising, scarring, and irritation, and have had few product-level solutions available to them.
Schiller co-founded the T1D Exchange and served as Vice President, Connected Care and Insulin Product Development and Site Head, Cambridge Innovation Center at Eli Lilly. She's lived with type 1 for more than 40 years.


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Very sorry to hear about the death of David Mitchell, the founder of Patients for Affordable Drugs. Mitchell died on January 2nd. Patients For Affordable Drugs, founded in 2016,  is the only national patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on policies that lower prescription drug prices.
I spoke with David Mitchell and Lauren Stanford about the organization and the legislation they were urging should pass at the time, back in 2020. I'm going to link that interview up in the show notes – our conversation starts about five minutes in. I did not know David personally, but in our conversation and in everything I read, he was practical, passionate and hopeful. Patients for Affordable drugs has had some big victories, and their work will go on.
To learn more, visit PatientsForAffordableDrugs.org.
https://diabetes-connections.com/minisode-7-spare-a-rose-what-can-we-do-about-the-price-of-insulin/
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New scholarship for college students with type 1 is open for entrants! The MannKind Al Mann Centennial Scholarship seeks to empower young adults with diabetes to pursue their dreams in the life sciences.
Any incoming Any incoming freshman or current undergraduate student who is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they are living with type 1 or 2 diabetes and if they are pursuing life sciences or a related field. Applicants must be motivated to make a meaningful impact in the diabetes sector and community.
All the info in the show notes.
https://bold.org/scholarships/mannkind-al-mann-centennial-scholarship/
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