Grenoble, France. CEA-Leti and Diabeloop today announced their joint lab to develop an artificial pancreas to improve treatment for type 1 diabetes patients.
The joint lab builds on Leti and Diabeloop’s earlier three-year research project that included clinical trials in hospitals and demonstrated the promise of a closed-loop system for treating diabetes.
The artificial pancreas envisioned in the joint lab will automatically deliver the appropriate dose of insulin to patients. It includes a sensor that measures patients’ glucose levels, a pump that delivers insulin, and a smartphone with an embedded algorithm and patient interface that links the sensor and the pump. It also includes telemedicine capabilities for monitoring patients and linking them with health-care providers and dedicated nurses.
“The Diabeloop system can fundamentally improve everyday life of diabetes patients,” said Diabeloop CEO Erik Huneker. “It will allow better control of their blood sugar and result in a strong reduction in hypoglycemic events and associated comas, as well as a decrease in diabetes-related complications, such as ocular and renal complications and amputations.”
In the joint lab, Leti will further develop the system’s regulation algorithm that takes into account the patients’ carbohydrate intake, glycemia, physical activity, and emotional-state history. The system predicts at any time how a change of insulin dosage will impact patient glycaemia levels in the next few hours and computes the optimal dose, especially at mealtime.
“This joint lab with Diabeloop will build on the success we had in the earlier research project, and bring the world’s first artificial pancreas closer to reality,” said Pierre Jallon, Leti R&D manager for digital health-and-wellness systems. “Designed for maximum user convenience and optimal integration with health-care providers, Diabeloop is a smart system that will provide a very precise dosage for diabetics.”
The three-year joint lab also will exploit both real and simulated data to improve insulin physiology numerical models with a focus on how physical activity and emotional states affect glycemia levels. Clinical trials involving patients living at home are expected in 2015.
The Diabeloop project was initiated in 2011 by the Centre for Studies and Research for Diabetes Treatment Intensification (CERITD) and received significant financial support from it.
About CEA-Leti
As one of three advanced-research institutes within the CEA Technological Research Division, CEA-Leti serves as a bridge between basic research and production of micro- and nanotechnologies that improve the lives of people around the world. It is committed to creating innovation and transferring it to industry. Backed by its portfolio of 2,800 patents, Leti partners with large industrials, SMEs, and startups to tailor advanced solutions that strengthen their competitive positions. It has launched 54 startups. Its 8,500m² of new-generation cleanroom space feature 200-mm and 300-mm wafer processing of micro and nano solutions for applications ranging from space to smart devices. With a staff of more than 1,800, Leti is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley and Tokyo. www.leti.fr
About CERITD
CERITD (Centre for Studies and Research for Diabetes Treatment Intensification) is a non-profit organization for diabetes care and research. It serves 1200 patients in three centers in France with a network of specialized nurses and practitioners. CERITD has a unique position as a prescription delegation contract for its nurses, end enjoys strong relations with the regulatory authorities. Guillaume Charpentier is the president of CERITD and has a lengthy experience of diabetes care and research. CERITD also created Diabeo, a connected insulin dose recommendation device launched in partnership with Sanofi and Voluntis.
About Diabeloop
The Diabeloop project was started in 2012 to develop an artificial pancreas to improve treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes. The company’s closed-loop technology has been evaluated in clinical trials in hospitals and is expected to be evaluated with patients living at home this year, as part of Diabeloop’s joint lab with CEA-Leti. Based in Grenoble, France, the company’s chairman is Guillaume Charpentier, and its CEO is Erik Huneker. www.diabeloop.fr/
