Hybrid closed loop or artificial pancreas systems are comprised of an insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and an algorithm that automatically administers insulin. And a new paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine demonstrates that hybrid closed loop systems help children as young as 1 year old achieve better glycemic control.

This study, led by Roman Hovorka, Ph.D., and funded in part by JDRF, compared data from children ages 1-7 on hybrid closed loop therapy to a CGM and insulin. The data showed conclusively that the children on the hybrid closed loop therapy did better. 

JDRF has funded over $135 million in artificial pancreas research to date, in addition to working tirelessly to ensure these systems have a reasonable pathway to regulatory approval and are covered by payers.

More Proof Artificial Pancreas Systems Work

There have been many, many studies examining the benefits of artificial pancreas systems on glycemic control in a myriad of patient populations. These studies, several of which have been funded by JDRF, have led to the development and commercialization of multiple systems with more on the immediate horizon.

This study is yet another to show the benefits. Children on the hybrid closed loop system spent an average of 8.7 percent more time-in-range each day compared to the control group. That’s over two hours every day! Children on the system also had lower HbA1cs and without increased hypoglycemia.   

Artificial Pancreas Systems: What’s Available?

Led by JDRF, the past 20 years have seen a flurry of innovation and investment in artificial pancreas research. As this technology continues to advance, more patient populations will have access to and benefit from these therapies. In Europe, CamAPS—the artificial pancreas system in this publication—is approved for ages 1 and up and the Medtronic 780G is approved for users between ages 7 and 80 years old. In the United States, the Medtronic 770G is the only automated insulin delivery system approved for children as young as two, and the Tandem Control-IQ™ is approved for individuals 6 and up. (There is a Control-IQ™ clinical trial currently recruiting in the United States, studying these systems in children ages 2-6.)