The Next 100: Evolution of Diabetes Innovation & Research

It has been 100 years since the exciting and revolutionary introduction of insulin. Since this time, the biomedical community has made great advancements in research, product development and innovation to help people with Type 1 Diabetes have more fulsome lives with fewer restrictions as a result of their diagnosis.?

?In my latest episode of The Next 100, a podcast in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the discover of insulin, I am joined by David Timms, who has lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 67 years, and Dr. Margaret Lawson, a pediatric endocrinologist, to learn about their perspectives on the progress of diabetes innovation and what they see to be the future of this chronic condition.

?This episode is all about diabetes, the impact of innovation on diabetes care and reflecting on how we cannot stop the progress until we have a true cure. This is an important discussion to be having as we also recognize Diabetes Awareness Month in Canada as well as World Diabetes Day in November.

?David comes from a family with a long history of diabetes. Like him, his grandmother, mother, brother, niece, and son lived with the disease. David is determined to manage his diabetes effectively and prevent his diagnosis from impacting his life. But after his son was diagnosed and he saw another generation of his family dealing with the disease, he began wondering: “When do we get a cure instead of a treatment?”

?Medical researchers and diabetes experts are pushing hard to find a cure that will provide a permanent solution for diabetes. But despite all the progress we’ve made over the years, a medical cure likely still won’t become a reality in the short term. In the meantime, Medical device companies in the field are focusing on a “biomedical cure” that combines the use of sensor technology, artificial intelligence and improved insulin-delivery systems, to help patients better manage their diabetes.

Dr. Lawson looks forward to the day when people living with diabetes are able to regulate their insulin and glucose levels with even less hands-on interaction through the evolution of hybrid closed-loop (automated delivery of basal insulin) technology into full closed-loop systems.

?She believes that improvements to biomedical solutions are becoming more attainable because parents are advocating for collaboration along with medical technologists, and the partnership of all parties helps achieve change. “It is a partnership of everybody. It is the companies that make all these devices and insulin things, the healthcare professionals, the policy advisors, government, funders insurance companies, and the individual with Type 1 Diabetes and their families.”

?As part of our discussion, Dr. Lawson emphasized that education, in addition to advocacy and collaboration, is key to overcoming some of the barriers holding back progress on innovation. Dr. Lawson points out the importance of educating physicians about new technologies and devices to ensure they are comfortable with their patients using them.

?“Without education, the adoption of technologies is not likely to be effective – education and ongoing support.”

?To learn more about the future of biomedical options for Type 1 Diabetes, listen to the full episode of The Next 100 with David Timms and Dr. Margaret Lawson.

?Apple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcasts

?About David Timms

Our first guest is David Timms – an 81-year-old patient who has been living with diabetes for 67 years. He was the first type 1 diabetes insulin dependent person to get a recreational pilot’s licence in Canada.

?About Dr. Margaret Lawson

Dr. Margaret Lawson who, among a great many other accomplishments, is Co-Director of CHEO’s Diversity Clinic and Site Principal Investigator for Medtronic Hybrid Closed Loop Outcomes Study pediatrics site.??