Livongo adds continuous glucose data via Abbott's FreeStyle Libre

Dive Brief:

Chronic disease management app Livongo Health said it will offer the Abbott's FreeStyle Libre Pro System to its members with diabetes through a collaboration with Abbott.
The FreeStyle Libre Pro sensor, applied by a healthcare professional on the back of the Livongo member’s upper arm, records glucose levels every 15 minutes to create a glycemic profile for the patient, including patterns and trends, that may be shared with the individual’s physician. The sensor remains in place for up to 14 days.
Gathering the data in what is called an Ambulatory Glucose Profile is intended to help diabetes patients and their doctors personalize treatment and improve decisions about care.

Dive Insight:

Abbott has a big hit on its hands with its FreeStyle Libre glucose monitors that don't require patients to enter fingerstick data. The Pro model received FDA approval in September 2016, followed a year later by the FreeStyle Libre Flash glucose monitoring system with a 10-day sensor. In July, FDA approved FreeStyle Libre with a 14-day sensor.

Being able to avoid routine fingersticks to test blood sugar levels has proved popular with patients. The devices helped drive a 40% surge in sales in Abbott’s diabetes division in the second quarter. Sales in the diabetes business have grown by more than 30% for three quarters in a row.

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre devices compete with Dexcom’s G6 continuous glucose monitor, Senseonics’ Eversense and Medtronic’s Guardian Connect.

Livongo said it is the first digital health company to incorporate continuous glucose data from the FreeStyle Libre system into its platform. Livongo is among a wave of digital health startups capitalizing on the push by providers and employers to manage the cost of chronic conditions as the country moves to more risk-based payment models.

A recent survey by Willis Towers Watson found that 76% of employers planned to invest in diabetes support tools and solutions in 2019, in an effort to improve employee health and lower costs. Nearly 85% said managing chronic conditions across their workforce is a priority.