In the News... More ADA Controversy, Insulin pricing bill, Setback for GLP-1 and T1D, Dexcom...

[00:00:05]On this episode of Diabetes Connections in the news, we'll be talking about more accusations of censorship at the ADA, [music] a setback for GLP-1 medications for type 1, discussions of a federal insulin [music] price cap, device news and mergers, and much more. All that's coming up right after this.

[00:00:25]This episode of Diabetes Connections is brought to you with support from Sanofi.

[00:00:30]>> From the very beginning, they mean everything to you, and that means you do anything for them, especially if they're at risk. So, when it comes to type 1 diabetes, screen it like you mean it.

[00:00:41]Even if just one person in your family has type 1, you are up to 15 times more likely to get it, too. Screen it like you mean it, because one blood test could help you spot type 1 long before you need insulin. Talk to your doctor about how to screen for type 1 diabetes, because the more you know, the more you can do. So, don't wait. Visit screenfortype1.com to learn more. Again, that's screenfortype1.com.

[00:01:10]>> Welcome, everybody. I'm your host, Stacey Sims. As always, we aim to educate [music] and inspire about diabetes with a focus on people who use insulin, and this is an In the News episode, where we bring you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. A reminder that you can find the sources and links and a transcript and more information for every story mentioned here over in the show notes.

[00:01:32]All of that is on the episode homepage.

[00:01:35]Just go over to diabetes-connections.com to learn more. Couple of housekeeping notes before we jump in. The early bird special pricing for Moms' Night Out Detroit ends this Friday. That event is September 18th and 19th. We're going to be in Seattle with Moms' Night Out in October, but the pricing goes up for Detroit after Friday, so don't miss out.

[00:01:57]Our moms night out events are for moms of kids with diabetes and women with type 1. We also have some Club 1921 events on the books for the fall. Club 1921 is our event for the entire community and for health care providers.

[00:02:12]So look for Club 1921. We'll have registration open soon for Charlotte and in Phoenix this fall and you can find all the in-person event info at diabetes-connections.com and then click on the events tab. I think there's a little bit of less news going on right now during the space between ADA Scientific Sessions and the upcoming ADCES conference. But there are still a lot going on and our top story this week, editors at the American Diabetes Association's top journal are again levying charges of censorship after a packet of editorials about what happened at the annual meeting was denied publication by leadership. So the deputy editors of Diabetes Care instead published their packet on Zenodo, which is a science repository developed in 2013 by the European Organization for Nuclear Research to share important documents. The controversy, of course, happened at the ADA Scientific Sessions where five researchers were removed after distributing an editorial criticizing federal research funding cuts. The ADA says it was advised to wait until their review is complete before publishing material about the events, arguing that doing so earlier could compromise the investigation. The collection also includes statements from the five researchers involved and from former Scientific Sessions Planning Committee Chair Mark Atkinson, who resigned citing a loss of confidence in the organization's response.

[00:03:43]The Senate takes up the federal cap on insulin prices. A hearing on the Insulin Act of 2026 is scheduled for this week.

[00:03:51]Researchers have long pointed out how wide the gap can be between production costs and what patients pay. The Yale School of Medicine has estimated it can cost about two to $4 to produce a vial of insulin. The cap being discussed here would be set at $35, much like a lot of states have set caps on their state insurance plans. The Insulin Act of 2026 is awaiting action in the Senate Health Committee before it can move forward.

[00:04:17]Roche decides not to move forward with a new GLP-1 therapy even after a study showed good results in people with type 1. We told you about this study just after the ADA conference, but Roche now says it is a business decision to stop moving forward with this medication called acemaglutide. There are other studies that will continue. Semaglutide is being looked at here. Eli Lilly is currently conducting a larger phase 3 randomized trial of tirzepatide in people with type 1. And with GLP-1s, in case you missed it, starting on July 1st, eligible Medicare Part D patients have a much easier path to accessing FDA-approved weight management medications, including Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundeo. This is a Medicare GLP-1 bridge program. Even with type 1, you can get these medications generally for obesity or overweight. Ask your healthcare provider if you are eligible.

[00:05:13]The use of automated insulin injections and CGMs is associated with improved glycemic outcomes in minority adults with type 1, according to a new study.

[00:05:23]A1C levels here did not differ substantially between white Hispanic and white non-Hispanic, but A1Cs were higher in black participants compared with white. These researchers say this is consistent with other evidence, including A1C levels may be higher in black people than in white people, even when glucose levels are similar. In the survey, patients who used insulin pumps with CGM reported significantly fewer barriers overall compared with those who did daily injections and CGM. The most frequently reported barriers included insurance coverage, cost of supplies, and device cost. The researchers also found that after intervention, use of connected insulin pens in addition to CGM increased from 18% to 27%.

[00:06:09]Dexcom recently announced that their 15-day continuous CGM system has received authorization from Health Canada for its use in adults aged 18 years and older living with diabetes.

[00:06:20]The product is not yet commercially available in Canada, no timeline given for that. More to come including updates on a fully implantable CGM, a new T1D screening study, and a big report in Australia that has some diabetes advocates crying foul. That's right after this.

[00:06:39]>> [music] >> Omnipod 5 is the number one requested and number one prescribed automated insulin delivery system in the US for a reason. It's the tubeless pump that's been trusted by people with diabetes for over 25 years. 25 years. They've been the leaders in tubeless technology for decades and that's why no one does tubeless quite like Omnipod does. See why it's ranked number one with a 30-day Omnipod 5 trial today at omnipod.com/diabetesconnections.

[00:07:11]Terms and conditions apply, eligibility may vary, full terms and conditions can be found at omnipod.com/diabetesconnections.

[00:07:22]>> [music] >> Back to the news now and Modular Medical has launched a pilot program to develop a tool that helps identify people with diabetes who may benefit from insulin pump therapy using information already in their electronic health records. The tool is designed to find people using MDI who may have avoided pumps or stopped using them, the company hopes the system will help clinicians identify eligible patients during routine visits.

[00:07:49]Modular Medical plans to test the approach at a large diabetes center before expanding it more broadly, supporting the rollout of its new pivot tubeless insulin pump. GlucoTrack announced that it has completed a strategic business combination with Locahi Therapeutics. GlucoTrack has a continuous blood glucose monitoring device that is inserted under the skin, no on-body external component.

[00:08:15]GlucoTrack has submitted their CBGM to the FDA for investigational device exemption, and that would enable the company to start a US clinical study.

[00:08:26]Widespread misconceptions about type 1 diabetes could be contributing to a reluctance to get screened, according to a survey Sanofi commissioned in partnership with Beyond Type 1. Almost 2/3 of respondents said type 1 is primarily diagnosed in kids, despite adults accounting for more than half of new cases, and 1/5 of respondents said autoantibody screening isn't necessary for adults. The survey found 85% of respondents felt more likely to screen once they learned they were at heightened risk of developing the disease. They named a doctor's recommendation and learning more about the screening process as the top two motivators for getting tested. Big article about delaying or even what I think most of us would call a functional cure for type 1 diabetes in a publication called BioSpace this week.

[00:09:12]They are talking about T-Zield, SAB Bio, Vertex, and Eli Lilly.

[00:09:18]The article says biopharma companies are closing in on several modalities that could change the way type 1 is treated, from therapies that allow patients freedom from near constant vigilance to preventative measures that could slow or even halt progression. Diabetes advocates in Australia are responding to a big report about medical device malfunctions. One blogger, I have to disclose this is a friend of mine, Renza Schibilia wrote, "Today newspapers across Australia have published a fear-mongering report dressed up as serious investigative journalism about the safety of diabetes technologies and devices. I'll link up the report which uses diabetes devices as a main entry into a story about how Australia needs stricter regulations. I'll also link up Renza's blog with her eloquent and blistering response. And that is it for in the news. If you like what you heard, please share it. We'll be back next week as usual with a longer interview-based episode. I've got a lot of catching up to do after meeting so many cool people at Friends for Life and still going through a lot of studies from ADA. Let me know what you would like to hear more [music] of and I am happy to bring those stories and interviews to you. Thanks as always to my editor John Buccanis from Audio Editing Solutions. Thank you so much for listening. I'm Stacey Sims.

[00:10:34][music] I'll see you back here soon.

[00:10:35]Until then, be kind to yourself.

[00:10:43]Diabetes Connections is a production of Stacey Sims Media. All rights reserved.

[00:10:47]All wrongs avenged.

[00:10:51]>> [music] >> One of the coolest parts of the Dexcom CGM system is how seamlessly it fits into our lives. Dexcom G7 can connect directly to an Apple Watch. With Dexcom direct to Apple Watch, you now have freedom and flexibility to go on a run, leave your phone in the car while running errands, or leave your phone on the charger while you're in another room, or let's be honest, when Binnie has no idea where he left his phone. All while still getting the most accurate glucose readings in real time right on your wrist. It's also waterproof, comfortable to wear, and now comes in a 15-day version for adults. Binnie is independent and active, so this level of freedom matters. For me, it's one more reason why I trust this technology. If you value real-life usability, give Dexcom G7 a look.