Rachel Klemovitch, Assistant Editor06.10.24
Abbott has received U.S. FDA clearance for two new over-the-counter CGM systems—the Lingo and Libre Rio. The systems are based on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre continuous monitoring technology.
The systems are intentionally designed to meet different needs – Lingo for consumers who want to better understand and improve their health and wellness, and Libre Rio for adults with Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications.
"There is no one-size-fits all approach for glucose monitoring, which is why we've designed different products for different people – all based on the same world-leading biowearable technology1," said Lisa Earnhardt, executive vice president, and group president of Abbott's medical devices business. "People living with diabetes need certain features like tracking medications or sharing data with a healthcare provider. People without diabetes need different features to manage their metabolic health, including personalized coaching to promote actionable lifestyle changes."
The Lingo system combines a biosensor that is worn on the upper arm for 14 days2 and continuously streams glucose data to a coaching application on a smartphone.
"Continuous glucose monitors are a tool I recommend to my patients to raise their overall awareness of factors that affect their glucose and are an invaluable holistic wellness solution," said Fred St. Goar, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of El Camino Health Heart and Vascular Institute. "Research has shown that overall lower glucose exposure in the general population is associated with reduced long-term risk to developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and certain cancers. Making continuous glucose monitors widely available will undoubtedly have a dramatic effect on the overall health and well-being of the broader population."
Libre Rio is the first over-the-counter CGM system with a measurement range of 40-400 mg/dL, allowing for the measurement of extremely low or high glucose events. Libre Rio may make it easier for Americans with diabetes to try a CGM and see progress toward their health goals.
The Libre portfolio in the U.S. consists of the FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems for people with all types of diabetes – Type 1, Type 2, and gestational. FreeStyle Libre systems require a prescription and have wide reimbursement by most major insurers in the U.S.3
2 A study was conducted to assess the biosensor life where 77.1% of biosensors lasted the full 14 days. In other words, when using the product per the package labeling, approximately 22.9% of biosensors may not last for the full 14 days. 14.7% of biosensors may last less than 11 days.
3 Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care.
The systems are intentionally designed to meet different needs – Lingo for consumers who want to better understand and improve their health and wellness, and Libre Rio for adults with Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications.
"There is no one-size-fits all approach for glucose monitoring, which is why we've designed different products for different people – all based on the same world-leading biowearable technology1," said Lisa Earnhardt, executive vice president, and group president of Abbott's medical devices business. "People living with diabetes need certain features like tracking medications or sharing data with a healthcare provider. People without diabetes need different features to manage their metabolic health, including personalized coaching to promote actionable lifestyle changes."
Lingo
Lingo is a biowearable designed for people 18 years and older, looking to improve overall health and wellness. The device will track glucose and offer personalized insights and coaching to help create healthy habits, retrain metabolism, and improve overall well-being.The Lingo system combines a biosensor that is worn on the upper arm for 14 days2 and continuously streams glucose data to a coaching application on a smartphone.
"Continuous glucose monitors are a tool I recommend to my patients to raise their overall awareness of factors that affect their glucose and are an invaluable holistic wellness solution," said Fred St. Goar, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of El Camino Health Heart and Vascular Institute. "Research has shown that overall lower glucose exposure in the general population is associated with reduced long-term risk to developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and certain cancers. Making continuous glucose monitors widely available will undoubtedly have a dramatic effect on the overall health and well-being of the broader population."
Libre Rio
Libre Rio is designed for people ages 18 and older with Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications. It will join Abbott's overall Libre portfolio of CGM systems.Libre Rio is the first over-the-counter CGM system with a measurement range of 40-400 mg/dL, allowing for the measurement of extremely low or high glucose events. Libre Rio may make it easier for Americans with diabetes to try a CGM and see progress toward their health goals.
The Libre portfolio in the U.S. consists of the FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems for people with all types of diabetes – Type 1, Type 2, and gestational. FreeStyle Libre systems require a prescription and have wide reimbursement by most major insurers in the U.S.3
References
1 Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of patients assigned to each manufacturer.2 A study was conducted to assess the biosensor life where 77.1% of biosensors lasted the full 14 days. In other words, when using the product per the package labeling, approximately 22.9% of biosensors may not last for the full 14 days. 14.7% of biosensors may last less than 11 days.
3 Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care.