Medtronic and Samsung Forge Strategic Partnership to Develop Integrated Mobile Diabetes Management Platform

Diabetes management tools and smartphones have long worked in tandem to help users with this chronic disease better manage their health. Now, a smartphone manufacturer is forging a partnership with one of the heavyweights in the diabetes industry. At the 75th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association held in Boston, Medtronic announced a collaboration with Samsung Electronics to enhance the capabilities of its Android-based mobile health management platform designed for patients with diabetes and their caregivers. Officials stated that this powerful partnership will develop internet-enabled apps that allow Samsung devices to pair with Medtronic’s MiniMed Connect platform, thereby connecting patients with diabetes, insulin pumps, blood glucose monitoring systems, and healthcare providers. VCBeat has compiled the details of the collaboration between Medtronic and Samsung on diabetes management to examine how they are creatively applying new technologies to achieve breakthroughs in the patient experience.

The impact of this powerful collaboration is substantial. This internet healthcare solution enables diabetic patients and their caregivers to monitor blood glucose levels in real time and manage insulin injections via mobile devices, significantly improving patients’ lifestyle habits in both the short and long term while reducing costly and dangerous complications associated with treatment.

“Samsung is committed to bringing innovation to the healthcare industry by leveraging its deep understanding of how people use technology,” said David Rhew, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Medical and Fitness at Samsung Electronics America, during a press conference at the ADA meeting on June 5. “Patients are seeking better ways to monitor their conditions while enjoying a higher quality of life. We are pleased to partner with Medtronic to develop diabetes management solutions that bring more positive change and greater autonomy to people living with diabetes.”

“By addressing the social and emotional challenges faced by people with diabetes more comprehensively and improving their lifestyles, individuals worldwide will be able to experience the most advanced methods currently available for diabetes management,” added Alejandro Galindo, Vice President and General Manager of Medtronic’s Integrated Diabetes Management division. “Medtronic aims to transform diabetes care by providing world-class integrated services, leveraging leading-edge technology, big data, and informatics. Our partnership with Samsung represents a critical step toward more convenient and rigorous access to diabetes data, and together we will empower people with diabetes to enjoy greater freedom and better health.”

The Samsung-Medtronic partnership is not the only internet healthcare news related to diabetes this month. On June 3, Glooko announced collaborations with Dexcom, a developer of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) platforms, and Insulet, the creator of the OmniPod insulin management system, to establish a platform for collecting and analyzing diabetes-related medical data that is compatible with various devices. According to Glooko executives, data from more than 30 blood glucose monitors linked to Dexcom’s CGM and Insulet’s OmniPod, along with data from numerous mobile devices running Apple and Android systems, will be integrated into the Glooko platform. “The integration of internet-based medical data will have a significant impact on the clinical care of patients with diabetes,” said Howard Wolpert from the Joslin Diabetes Center in a press release provided by Glooko. “We are collaborating with Glooko to develop the Joslin HypoMap powered by Glooko data. Meanwhile, Glooko will continue to add device data and comprehensive informational reports, offering clinical insights that cannot be derived from currently downloadable data. This will help more patients recognize the benefits of CGM and pump-delivered insulin, and assist clinicians in providing more efficient and effective care,” he added.

Prior to Medtronic’s announcement of its partnership with Samsung, its MiniMed Connect device had already received approval in the U.S. FDA’s June 5 announcement. The MiniMed Connect securely transmits data from the MiniMed insulin pump and blood glucose monitoring (BGM) systems to a smartphone app and a web-based dashboard, enabling real-time monitoring of glucose and insulin information. If alerts from the insulin pump go unaddressed or readings reach dangerous levels, the system can also send text message notifications to designated caregivers.

“Joint engagement among patients with diabetes, their families, and healthcare providers is key to improving the quality of life for individuals with diabetes. The MiniMed Connect app enables the entire care team to access critical diabetes data and helps people make decisions that lead to better outcomes,” said Annette Brüls, Vice President and General Manager of Medtronic’s Diabetes Services and Solutions division, in a standalone press release announcing FDA approval. “MiniMed Connect is an important part of our strategic vision, marking another step forward in Medtronic’s journey toward becoming a comprehensive diabetes management company. The Connect platform demonstrates how we leverage leading-edge technology, data, and information to facilitate better treatment decisions and enhance care for people with diabetes. We hope it will enable more individuals to manage their condition with greater ease, optimize their treatment regimens, and empower patients with diabetes to enjoy greater freedom and improved health.”

Medtronic’s initiatives extend far beyond this. The company also announced a collaboration with Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) to develop a novel insulin pump infusion set using BD’s FlowSmart technology, which enhances the consistency of insulin delivery via pumps connected to patients with diabetes. This infusion set has received approval in the United States and Canada, and regulatory applications have been submitted in the European Union, with market launch expected next year. Furthermore, the company is leveraging its MiniMed platform in a series of European studies to develop an artificial pancreas.

Compiled by: Chen Xin | Edited by: Mo Renying