In order to support the future integration of the company’s connected insulin pens, NovoPen 6 and NovoPen Echo Plus, which will become commercially available early 2019 across key markets, Novo Nordisk has signed new partnership agreements with Dexcom, Glooko and Roche.

Building upon its existing work with IBM Watson Health and Glooko, Novo Nordisk aims to integrate insulin dosing data from connected pen devices with its partners’ open ecosystems and diabetes management solutions, such as data from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems and blood glucose meters (BGM).

“Our non-exclusive partnership strategy allows us to integrate with the various digital platforms that people are already using to help manage their diabetes,” said Camilla Sylvest, executive vice president of Commercial Strategy & Corporate Affairs at Novo Nordisk. “We firmly believe that this will help more people realise the full benefit of our innovative medicines and begin to ease the mental burden of diabetes treatment for those individuals.”

The launch of connected insulin pens

The launch of Novo Nordisk’s first connected insulin pens, NovoPen 6 and NovoPen Echo Plus, will commence in the first quarter of 2019 and roll out to over 50 countries in the coming years. NovoPen 6 and NovoPen Echo Plus will eventually be phased in to replace NovoPen 5 and NovoPen Echo in countries where those devices are currently available.

“After receiving caregiver feedback, we knew a global roll-out was the right thing to do,” said Camilla Sylvest, referring to a 2017-18 Swedish pilot in collaboration with Glooko. “During the pilot, healthcare providers noted that patient dialogues improved without having to invest additional time.”

Photo of Camilla Sylvest: Novo Nordisk