What does the future hold for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients? With innovative technologies, smart devices and the growth of telemedicine, as well as the rise of closed-loop systems, key opinion leaders (KOLs) are excited about the transformations coming to the treatment landscape. To learn more about recent KOL views, we sat down with lead KOL Insights analyst Basharut Syed to discuss his research into recent developments that have the potential to influence treatment methods in the coming years. Here he shares some key findings from the latest round of interviews.

FirstWord: What was the main objective for this research?

Basharut Syed: As a chronic disease, diabetes requires lifelong management, but in recent years, the introduction of several novel therapies has considerably eased the burden on and improved outcomes for patients. Specifically, unparalleled advances in innovative diabetes technology (D-tech) have enabled the realisation of more personalised medicine for diabetic patients. Recent research focused on key developments in early through to late-stage D-tech pipeline that could potentially change the treatment landscape for DM in the next decade. Who are the emerging players in D-tech space? What are the key opportunities and threats for companies investing or seeking to invest in this area?

FW: What topics were specifically discussed during the interview with KOLs on the progression of the DM treatment landscape?

BS: From a technology perspective, KOLs think the most significant changes to the diabetes treatment paradigm over the next five to 10 years will be in the area of sensor technology and the availability of reliable closed-loop insulin systems. KOLs believe blood glucose sensing is moving towards wireless monitoring and that there will be greater adoption of wearable wireless glucose sensing technologies. One of the most exciting developments in this space, according to the opinion leaders, has been the introduction of Abbott’s standalone FreeStyle Libre Flash technology. Many of the experts believe that the FreeStyle Libre has started a revolution in glucose monitoring, and over the next decade they assert standalone and real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels will become the standard of care in diabetic patients.

FW: What is one of the most notable changes over the last 12 months in DM treatment your research has found?

BS: The introduction of newer CGM technologies has markedly changed the diabetes landscape.  In particular, KOLs believe that the factory calibrated sensor within the FreeStyle Libre Flash has revolutionised the field. Prior to its reimbursement on the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) in September 2017, over 26 000 diabetics had purchased the device, paying for it from their own pockets. KOLs stressed that patients would not have paid for the device unless they felt it was adding value and improving their lives and the management of their diabetes.

FW: What was one of the most insightful KOL interview quotes? What did it teach us?

BS: "I always tell my patients, 15 years ago their fathers used to test glucose in the urine and currently they do blood glucose, I foresee in the next 10 years, blood glucose testing will probably be like urine glucose testing. Nobody tests the urine glucose anymore, so in 10 years’ time nobody will test their blood for glucose anymore. It'll mean a huge change to someone with type 1 or type 2 and their quality of life." [European KOL]

There has been tremendous progress in blood glucose sensing methods and KOLs believe CGMs will replace fingerstick screening as the new standard of care for diabetics.  

FW: What is our research team going to explore next bulletin on this topic?

BS: In our next bulletin we will be looking at some recent developments in DM including:

1. NovioSense’s publication of positive data from its Phase II NLNSGS2017-02 tear glucose sensor study.
2. Novo Nordisk’s announcing the headline results from the Phase IIIa PIONEER 8 study with oral semaglutide, for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.
3. Eli Lilly’s positive data from a Phase IIb clinical trial for its dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist (GIP/GLP-1 RA, LY3298176) showing strong and clinically meaningful blood sugar reduction and weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes.