Q&A: Medtronic Diabetes expands into smart insulin pens and develops a new therapy platform called Smart MDI systems
Medtronic is a medical device company that is known for groundbreaking healthcare technology solutions. The company’s aim is “to contribute to human welfare by application of biomedical engineering in the research, design, manufacture and sale of instruments or appliances that alleviate pain, restore health and extend life.” Drug Store News recently spoke with Mike Mensinger, vice president of engineering at Medtronic Diabetes, about the company’s mission and its latest diabetes innovation.
Drug Store News: Can you describe what Medtronic is and what is its specialty?
Mike Mensinger: The diabetes business at Medtronic is working together with the global community to change the way people manage diabetes. We care about improving the lives of those living with diabetes. And we’re passionate about our products that help people achieve their health goals, proud of our around-the-clock support and service, and driven to innovate new diabetes solutions. While the business has previously been most known for insulin pump systems and continuous glucose monitors (CGM), the acquisition of Companion Medical in 2020 has allowed us to expand into smart insulin pens, with their innovative InPen system, and to develop a new category called Smart MDI (multiple daily injection) systems.
DSN: Can you explain how your Smart MDI technology changes the conversation about diabetes treatment?
MM: The Medtronic Diabetes product portfolio is expanding. With the addition of the InPen system and future innovations, we will continue to build on our ability to meet customers where they are on their diabetes journey. In doing so, we’ll need to make it easier for customers to understand our portfolio of products and how they can benefit from choosing Medtronic. Simultaneously, we want to use our expanding portfolio to drive meaningful differentiation that helps to reiterate our position as a leader in smart diabetes technology. We are doing this by developing a new therapy platform called Smart MDI systems to allow us to promote various combinations of products within the Medtronic Diabetes product portfolio.
[Read more: CVS Health, ADA join forces to support diabetes prevention, management]
DSN: What is the benefit for diabetes patients?
MM: InPen provides a customizable fast-acting insulin therapy solution for people with Type 1 or Type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes. InPen provides a choice of therapy modes: carb counting, fixed dose and meal estimation dose calculators to those who use multiple daily injections (MDI) based on their healthcare provider’s recommendations. This puts actionable diabetes treatment suggestions into the hands of users and healthcare providers, no matter the insulin treatment protocol. With real-time glucose data from the Guardian Connect CGM in the InPen app, patients can see their glucose, active insulin and dosing recommendations — all in one convenient view.
DSN: How has the acquisition of InPen changed the focus of the diabetes business?
MM: Acquiring InPen was an ideal strategic fit for Medtronic as the company looked to further simplify diabetes management and improve outcomes by optimizing dosing decisions for the large number of people using multiple daily injection (MDI). The goal is to help people think less about diabetes and be able to live life with more freedom, on their own terms. Medtronic wants to be a trusted partner that offers consistent support, whether an individual wants to stay on MDI or transition to an automated insulin delivery pump system.
Mike Mensinger is vice president of engineering at Medtronic Diabetes.