Abbott collaborates with Medtronic for diabetes technology

In April 2023, Medtronic received FDA approval for its MiniMed 780G insulin pump. Medtronic has announced a partnership with Abbott to develop an integrated continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that will be compatible exclusively with Medtronic’s devices. Abbott will create glucose sensors specifically for Medtronic's insulin pumps and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, though financial details and commercial timelines were not disclosed.

This collaboration comes as Abbott expands its AID partnerships and Medtronic aims to revitalize its diabetes business following the resolution of an FDA warning letter. Abbott’s CGM will be sold exclusively by Medtronic, which also recently received FDA approval for its Simplera CGM, featuring improvements over previous sensors. The Simplera Sync sensor, designed to work with Medtronic’s AID algorithm, is still under separate FDA review.

Medtronic, a pioneer in AID systems with its 2016 FDA approval, faces competition in the CGM market but hopes this new partnership will boost its diabetes revenue. Abbott, a competitor with Dexcom, has been forming similar partnerships, including recent integrations with Tandem and Insulet. The new AID system will undergo standard regulatory procedures, with approval anticipated after Medtronic’s current fiscal year ending in April.