Until now there have been two options for commercially-supported closed-loop pump systems in Australia. But it looks like that’s about to change.
Last month the TGA approved the CamAPS FX loop system from CamDiab. Ypsomed is the sponsor, and it seems it is going to be launched alongside the updated YpsoPump that’s soon to arrive. This update rolled out in some European markets over the last few months, and seems to be well-received.
To be clear, I have not seen Australian launch announcements yet!
But I do know that CamDiab staff are in Australia at the moment talking to HCPs.
CamAPS FX
CamAPS FX came out of research at Cambridge University in the UK.
Until the Ypsomed partnership CamAPS FX was available on a paid subscription basis and supports the DANA RS and i pumps. But hasn’t been available in Australia.
It currently integrates with the Dexcom G6 CGM (replacing the Dexcom apps) although in March a partnership (between Ypsomed, CamDiab, and Abbott) was announced to integrate support for Abbott’s new Libre3 CGM in an upcoming version.
Reports from European users indicate that the DANA and Ypsomed versions of the app are currently almost identical, with just one of the sub-components of the version number indicating different builds.
It seems the Ypsomed-branded version does not require a subscription.
What’s different about it to the other commercial AIDs?
- The TGA approval mentioned that it’s approved for people with T1D, aged 1 year and older.
Overseas it has been approved for use in pregnancy (which the other systems have not) so it will be interesting to see more details of the Australian approval. - Obviously it will support the updated YpsoPump. But unlike the Medtronic and Tandem systems, the logic doesn’t run on the pump.
The app runs on an Android phone (it seems there are some restrictions as to models supported) and it’s the phone that talks to the G6 CGM and then to the pump. So you do need to carry the phone with you (which is something users of opensource AID systems are very familiar with). - The target BG is configurable. I believe it defaults to 5.8 mmol/L, but can be configured between 4.4-11 mmol/L.
- It has “learning” aspects, where it auto-tunes most of the settings by itself.
Some of that is based off experience with the DANA version, which integrates with Diasend via the cloud. It will be interesting to see how the Ypso version presents the functionality, and exactly what Ypsomed offers.
We’ve been waiting for Ypsomed to roll out the updated YpsoPump that supports bolus-from-your-phone, and it’s this pump that is supported by CamAPS FX too. This may be the driver that kicks the update off!
I’m expecting it to become available to everyone with a YpsoPump. Previous information is that current users would be able to update their pumps (without extending the 4-year warranty). So in this case some people won’t have to wait for years to become eligible for the new system.
When can we expect it?
The $64,000 question… We’ll have to wait and see.
I do know that the Australasian Diabetes Congress is happening in Brisbane in early August. Previous ADCs have seen the launch of systems including the Tandem t:slim X2 pump and the Medtronic 670G, so there is precedent for companies to make big announcements.
I am waiting with bated breath. I haven’t used my YpsoPump since I got it last year as I need to be able to loop.
If/when it comes, I wonder if health insurers will include an android phone as part of the pump purchase?
Hi David, interested in this development as C-IQ hasn’t been as successful as hoped for our family, so i have been looking for any articles or blogs comparing the different algorithms, maybe you have one in your archives? Might be a difficult ask as there are so many components what with CGM’s, types of insulin, and pump hardware in the mix also, but a comparison, or even a discussion around, CamAPS vs C-IQ vs Loop vs Open(Android)APS algorithms is interesting. All the Best, look forward to reading about the Congress.
There’s nothing that specific online at the moment, but I’ve been using Control-IQ recently, and am working on some stuff along those lines.
Abbott actually said that it will work with the Libre 2 not the Libre 3 this year. In the conference call a couple of days ago.
Very strange. It’s the Libre3 that’s approved as an iCGM, not the Libre2.
Using the Libre2 would be an acknowledgement by Abbott that we can extract realtime CGM data from it (even though the data is not cross-checked and as “safe” as data from an iCGM).
Abbott says that the Libre 3 did not get approval for automatic delivery in the US due to a vitamin C issue. Abbott assured that they already “fixed” the issue and it will be resubmitted. They said the first pump will be using the Libre 2 instead in Europe.
The question was very specific:
“Regarding your question on vitamin C, fixed, yes.”
“We have done the work to be able to address that. We’ve made very good progress. I’m going to provide further updates over time. But obviously, this relates only to the U.S.”
“We’re actually going to be launching an AID system in Europe with our partners in Europe in Q4 with Libre 2. So — but you’ll get more updates on that.”
Hi David, just wondering if you could let me know if libre sensor 2 will be available for ypsomed still in 2023? Also, which android phone models are compatible with dexcom G6? At the moment, I’m using minimed Medtronic 780G, but I hate it. I’m looking to get ypsomed closed loop system instead. I definitely HATE Medtronic 780G ??
I haven’t heard anything about Libre2 and CamAPS. It does support Libre3 in Europe, but I have no idea how the recent upgrade of Libre2 to rtCGM (in the US and Europe) will factor into this. Let alone how roll-outs might happen around the world.
Thanks for sharing David, this is great news for the YpsoPump community!