10 Diabetes Innovations To Watch in 2025 - Beyond Semaglutides

Reshared by Fresh Test, LLC. January 2025. Content Resources from PubMed, NCBI, Diatribe, healthline, AJMC, The Guardian, Mount Sinai amongst others.

Chances are, you’ve already heard quite a bit about semaglutides and all they’re doing for diabetes and obesity. Medications like Ozempic (and Wegovy, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, etc.) have recieved widespread attention and so far, about 13% of Americans have already tried them. Some research suggests as many as 93 million American adults would also be eligible to take this class of drugs based on their health status. Although most of the news coverage of semaglutides focuses on their off-label use for weight loss, they are still some of the most powerful treatments out there for helping patients control their blood sugar, lose weight, and improve their overall health.

However, there’s more happening in the world of diabetes innovation. Rightfully so, as the number of people with diabetes around the globe is expected to rise over the next few decades — current projections have diabetes prevalence doubling by 2050 to as much as 1.3 billion people worldwide. Innovations in diabetes care are truly vital to ensure good quality-of-life and appropriate treatment for everyone.

Here are some of the exciting diabetes care and treatment innovations on our radar.

1. Plant-Based Berberine & Glucobitters: Berberine, a bioactive compound extracted from plants has shown to help with blood sugars and chronic health conditions. One of the main actions of berberine is to activate an enzyme inside cells called AMPK. Another herbal supplement is called Glucobitters, which is meant to help people control their glucose levels. Using apple cider vinegar and several herbs proven to support insulin sensitivity (such as cinnamon and gymnema), this product can support those with metabolic dysfunction and prediabetes.  
2. The Fresh Test® Diagnostic Glucose.   Already well-known and utilized in the obstetrics world, The Fresh Test® is an organic and additive-free alternative to the traditional glucola drink used to test pregnant women for gestational diabetes. It consists of a lemon-mint powder that easily mixes with water to provide 50g, 75g, or 100g of glucose. The Fresh Test® quickly grew to become the one of the most popular diagnostic glucose products and is now launching in glucose load testing and hypoglycemia support outside of the pregnant population. Many offices are beginning to use this for metabolic testing and insulin resistance screening. Patients rave about the product and it’s especially great for those that want to avoid GMOs, additives, dyes, and unnecessary chemicals.
3. Smart Insulin: Scientists may have developed a “smart insulin” which automatically adjusts to changing blood sugar levels in real-time. It could reduce the need for constant or regular blood sugar management for diabetics. Testing is ongoing, but the research is promising. -The Guardian 
4. Beta-Cell Regeneration: Researchers from Mount Sinai in New York have found a possible new treatment for diabetes. They combined harmine (a plant compound) with GLP1 agonists and found that the combination therapy increased human beta cells by 700%. Eventually, this kind of treatment could restore cells that produce insulin. -Mount Sinai
5. Rejuva Therapy: An innovative gene therapy, Rejuva is a treatment that works by restoring GLP-1 function in the pancreas. The therapy is delivered directly to the pancreas and a single dose has been shown to lower both body weight and blood sugar in mice. It’s still in preclinical development, but the company behind it, Fractyl Health, hopes to start studies on humans soon. 
6. Sulforaphane: Research about this compound found in broccoli and its powerful impacts on blood sugar has been happening for the past few years (like the 2017 study which found that sulforaphane improved glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes). 2024 is taking the powers of this natural compound even further, though — a new study found that dietary intake of sulforaphane can enhance glucose tolerance, as well as suppress fat accumulation. More research is needed, but what has been found is promising for treatment.
7. Continuous Glucose Monitors: Medical manufacturer Dexcom has announced a new continuous glucose monitor (CGM), Stelo, which is meant to be worn by people who don’t take insulin. This CGM will be available over-the-counter, which could be a game-changer for those with prediabetes or a family history. CGM offers real-time blood sugar readings which can help identify foods and stimuli to be cautious of. Another new CGM on the scene is Roche’s Accu-Chek SmartGuide, which uses AI technology to deliver a more comprehensive monitoring solution to both people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It uses predictive AI to let someone know what their blood sugar might do in the next two hours, which can help people plan activities and avoid spikes or crashes – Drug Delivery Business  
8. Combination Glucose Monitors/Insulin Pumps: A pump/sensor in one, the niia product by Pharmasens could revolutionize diabetes care for millions. The semi-reusable product combines the technology of CGM and insulin delivery, which simplifies diabetes management significantly. It is meant to be worn for up to five days. Is this the beginning of an external pancreas?-Diatribe 
9. Diabetes Telehealth: Companies like VirtaHealth, DrKumo, and Lilly Direct are providing groundbreaking virtual care to diabetes patients. Services can include coaching, nutrition support, virtual appointments, early intervention, and much more. This care can replace or supplement the care people get from their providers, increasing adherence to treatment and improving their overall condition. 
10. Pancreas-Mimicking Hydrogel: Scientists have developed a silk-based hydrogel system that mimics the pancreas. It triggers a release of insulin when blood sugar levels rise. Initial tests have only been done on mice, but further research is on the horizon.-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742706124004999