Diabetes technology has been a bright spot in medtech during the coronavirus pandemic, and the space is expected to grow even more in the coming years.
Companies like Dexcom, Insulet and Tandem Diabetes Care are heading into 2022 with user numbers climbing. Through the third quarter, each company reported growth over 2020. Abbott Laboratories has seen similar success behind its FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitors.
Meanwhile, Medtronic's diabetes group has had some challenges throughout 2021. Most recently, an FDA warning letter was sent to its diabetes group headquarters, which could potentially delay review for a key upcoming product.
Insulet also had a setback as FDA review for its much-anticipated Ominipod 5 insulin pump was delayed most of the year, forcing the company to announce that a completed review and launch is not likely until 2022. Although, analysts still back the pump, seeing it as a top product once it makes it to market.
Similarly, Dexcom's G7 CGM was under review for a CE mark through the final weeks of the year, pushing back any meaningful launch in Europe until 2022.
In 2021, the market saw CMS expand eligibility for CGMs in Medicare, a focus on patients with Type 2 diabetes from multiple companies and even a Super Bowl commercial in February.
Wall Street analysts have consistently been bullish on the market, projecting strong growth in user adoption for both insulin pumps and CGMs. The space could also see a boost in 2022 from key product launches by several companies.
Here is a collection of MedTech Dive's top diabetes tech stories in 2021:
