JDRF, Dexcom to develop wireless transmitter for glucose monitoring

JDRF, an organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, has partnered with Dexcom, a California-based medical device company to accelerate the development of a novel wireless transmitter.

The transmitter will allow a glucose monitoring (CGM) system to communicate directly with an artificial pancreas control device currently being used for research studies, instead of only with a CGM receiver.

As per the agreement, Dexcom will receive up to $500,000 over 12 months in milestone-based funding from JDRF to complete the development, testing, and manufacturing of a custom "smart transmitter" prototype, which JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Project academic research consortium will use for their studies.

Dexcom chief executive officer Terrance Gregg said, "This robust wireless capability could greatly enhance the performance of closed-loop algorithms in outpatient studies, and we are proud to be working with JDRF on this exciting venture."

JDRF said the transmitter’s direct communication capability will eliminate the need for a trial participant to carry multiple devices all wired together while testing an artificial pancreas system’s ability to manage glucose levels.

The smart transmitters from Dexcom will be capable to wirelessly transmit a glucose value directly to multiple devices, including several versions of an artificial pancreas controller.

The artificial pancreas under development will be an external device that people with T1D could use to do what their bodies cannot-automatically control their blood sugar around the clock.

JDRF assistant vice president of treatment therapies Aaron Kowalski said Dexcom’s smart transmitter will allow the sensor to talk directly to multiple artificial pancreas control devices, and essentially eliminate the hassle of being encumbered by wires and other devices.

"Now that the first outpatient studies have started, the development of robust wireless connection capability is a key step toward accelerating the delivery of an artificial pancreas to all patients with T1D," Kowalski said.