Originally published in December 2017.

We PWDs (people with diabetes) now have a new "hurt" option for dosing and tracking our insulin: a compose that offers many of the capabilities and functions of an infusion ticker, but without the need to don a device along our bodies 24/7.

That is, Companion Medical has sporting launched its more-anticipated InPen, a 1st-of-its-sort Bluetooth-connected insulin indite that keeps give chase of dosing information and recommends doses, likewise as displaying blood sugar and related information on the paired app.

The FDA really cleared the InPen more than a twelvemonth ago in July 2016, and finally on Dec. 1 information technology launched here in the U.S. Inside information of the system and launch were unveiled in mid-November at our Settle #DData17 Substitution event at Stanford University, in a introduction by the CEO of this San Diego-based startup Sean Saint (a fellow type 1 himself who has quite a record in the diabetes industry).

Today, the company has started shipping its low gear InPen orders in a "limited launch" with plans to expand accessibility in betimes 2018.

"A Considerable Step up"

"This is a significant step to the fore in connected, integrated insulin delivery," Saint tells us. "We guess information technology's pretty straight that our first-genesis product leaps all over pumps in some slipway (in being so connected). We're building a 2017 heart inside a pen, if you will… not a decade-old pump or one that's already obsolete by the meter it's available."

So, the InPen is unlike anything we've seen before, even compared to another so-called "smart pens," in that:

  • It's a reusable pen that full treatmen with both Humalog and Novolog insulin cartridges (that can easily be inserted into the pen). The accompany tells us they're also exploring possibilities for compatibility with different types of insulin going forward.
  • It collects insulin dosing information and transmits IT to the Companion app that includes a VD calculator to recommend your dosages (like a heart's Bolus Wizard) and likewise calculates and displays real-time dynamic insulin on board (IOB).
  • It holds up to a year's worth of insulin dosing information.
  • Like a pump, the Companion app also allows you to lay out up reminders for specific dosing times look-alike breakfast, luncheon, dinner, and bedtime snack, and if you haven't dosed by the end of the fixed time window, the app will alarm.
  • It also allows you to manually enter doses for primary insulin such as Lantus/ Levemir/ Tresiba and set reminders for those long insulins.
  • There's a temperature sensing element built into the pen that sets off an app alarm if the indite's temp dips below freezing or above body temperature, ensuring that your insulin stays intact.
  • It allows remote monitoring – users can set the app to automatically text edition message their dosing info to adequate 5 people. This can include non only every insulin venereal disease, but besides BG and carb values (if entered manually) — all compiled into a single text message.
  • Information technology also allows you to portion reports with health care providers.
  • As it has Bluetooth intrinsic, you can also incorporate data from other BT devices so much as connected meters and even the Dexcom CGM (though importantly, the Dexcom data is ex post facto from tercet hours ago, rather than time period information). Victimisation Apple HealthKit, info on that platform give notice be streamed into the app.
  • Each new order comes with an AgaMatrix BT-connected glucose time, along with 20 test strips. Once users run out of strips, they can either order more from AgaMatrix, or consumption a different meter to plug in with the InPen.
  • The free Associate app industrial plant with iOS 10 for today, and we're told an Android version of the smartphone app is low development and should equal available by the last half of 2018.

Here's an intro video about the InPen, with a flying walk-through of how information technology plant.

Launching and Pricing Details

Saint tells us they're start with a "limited launch" for now as the company gets its shipping procedures and operational aspects fine-tuned before a broader nationwide establish. This isn't a geographically limited plunge, but rather a start with a small numerate of product and past ramping up to full capacity. Since the company's sales director (and presently their sole field repp) happens to be located in Everglade State, that's where initial InPen orders wish be based.

And now, for the monetary value… (brace yourself).

The due price tag is $798. Yes, that's quite pricey!

Just Saint assures the States that a number of big insurance policy plans undergo already approved the InPen for coverage, and they await the number to grow in 2018. Copays may atomic number 4 anywhere from $0-50, or perchance higher depending on insurance. He has seen customer copays as low as $0, and atomic number 2 also mentions a $250 savings coupon available to eligible customers to let down the cash price.

Currently, they are using a thirdly-party mail order pharmacy for InPen orders. Eventually, they design to earn InPen available directly in pharmacy stories nationwide for easier access.

Partake in on Pinterest

Those interested in ordination InPen can sign in up at their "Get InPen" Sri Frederick Handley Page, or ask your healthcare supplier to look back into writing you a prescription. You can choose from grey, blue surgery ping pen options.

As to the future, Nonpareil tells U.S. they are already in dialogue with leaders in D-data platforms — such every bit Glooko, Tidepool, and others — virtually collaborating for distended integration. He would also like-minded to see, at several point, an open API that would allow diabetes do-IT-yourselfers to pull information directly from the InPen into platforms like Nightscout and open-source closed-loop system systems.

In brief, we're selfsame excited to see this new product connected the market, and can't expect to try it out for ourselves!