Ahhh. I’m so excited! Tandem’s 3 hour R&D event is running now.
The big news thus far is that the pump formerly known under it’s working name T:sport has officially been named Mobi.
We already know it was going to be half the size of the T:slim X2 without any screen, be fully controlled via the patients mobile phone, have a 200 unit reservoir, charge wirelessly, launch with Control-IQ and be capable of future updates, and it will have an on-board button for quick bolusing without the mobile. Some of the new information:. It is waterproof, with an IPX8 rating. They’re working on new infusion set offerings, but it will be introduced with a new 4-inch option. (There was question about how long it would be.) I was also surprised to see that the category under which the pump will be filed will allow them to upgrade it without further FDA oversight, meaning faster updates.
They’ve also talked about future pipeline products.
Next coming, since the T:slim and T:slim X2 have been so popular, it’s no surprise that they’re working on a T:slim X3. There wasn’t a lot of talk about it, but they’re improving processing hardware to better compute next generation AID algorithms. It will be capable of wireless updates. They’re also focusing on improving battery performance and charging.
After that comes the next update to the Mobi system, Mobi: tubeless.
Mobi: tubeless will completely nix the infusion set/tube component. Instead, one would apply a disposable plastic pump mount and cannula piece, which would connect to a different reservoir.
But it doesn’t stop there. They think the T:slim and Mobi platforms will only get them to half of their patient base goals, so they intend to offer a fully tubeless patch pump, more competitive with Omnipod. That means they’ll be the only pump manufacturer with 3 completely different product lines, to better meet the different expectation of every single diabetic undergoing advanced insulin therapies.
Excuse the screen shot photos. I was trying to share quickly.
Update 1:
The mobile bolus upgrade that’s already pending approval with the FDA is simply an update to the existing T:connect app, not a brand new app as previously suspected. However, the Mobi system will launch with an entirely new app, as it will require many additional features for complete pump control
Another feature I’m excited to hear about: Tandem understands that the average diabetic only spends 3 hours a year with a managing health professional, and the other 8757 are self-managed. They intend to work on software analytics that will help identify weaknesses in our management routine and recommend dosage/behavior changes.
Update 2, scattered points from the Q&A sections. Sorry for the disorganization:
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Tandem is confident they can grow to 1 million users in the next 5 years, based on this wide portfolio of options.
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Some clarification on the Mobi:tubeless. It uses the same exact Mobi as the base pump, all that changes is the disposable cannula and cartridge elements. So existing Mobi users would easily be able to go tubeless. It will be very similar to inserting the empty Dexcom sensor housing and clicking in the transmitter. One will insert a cannula with an adhesive “dock” (the word they used) attached to it. They then load the Mobi pump with an alternative cartridge that lacks the pigtail tubing connection, but rather connects to the cannula in the dock. Finally, you snap the Mobi pump into the dock.
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Expect future marketing and product development specific to the Type 2 market.
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The approval for the mobile bolus update is anticipated any day now, still. Unfortunately, there’s been very little communication at all from the FDA, so they have no way of knowing where it currently stands. They’re ready to launch as soon as the approval comes through, but at this point it’s not likely until early 2022.
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They can’t comment on the Mobi market date until the mobile bolus update comes through, because it’s a prerequisite for the platform Mobi is built upon.
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The pipeline patch pump is an entirely separate product from Mobi. It will be even smaller yet, one single piece (no dock), and fully disposable. It will be a full-functioned insulin pump, more similar to Omnipod than the feature-lacking V-go and CeQur that are indicated for Type 2s only. It will also be the first Tandem product to likely be distributed through the pharmacy channel, rather than exclusively DME.
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The Mobi app will be available on both IOS and Android.
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They’re currently evaluating all insulin options to be used in all of their pump products, including generics, biosimilars, and concentrated formulations. It wasn’t specifically stated but hinted/teased that Mobi will launch with a concentrated insulin indication, expanding the capacity beyond 200 units.
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Since Libre does not currently have an ACE designated device (the Libre 2 is specifically contraindicated for use in automated insulin dosing systems in the US), they were asked if they might allow the Libre 2 to be used with Control-IQ in markets outside the US where no such contraindication exists. They basically don’t want to undermine their relationship with the FDA. The answer was a resounding “no”, but they will certainly allow integration as soon as they bring a qualified device to market.
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They confirmed that there will be upgrade opportunities for current in-warranty T:slim users to move to the Mobi system, but did not mention specifics.
