Dexcom has launched Stelo, a lower-cost, over the counter CGM biowearable designed to help Type 2 diabetics.
We first reported on Stelo at CES 2024, and 8 months on, it’s now available in the US without a prescription.
Unlike the company’s existing G7 CGM, Stelo is designed for adults 18+ who are not on insulin therapy.
It’s aimed at the 25 million people with Type 2 diabetes and those with prediabetes. It costs $99 for two sensors (30 days of use) or $89 per month via subscription.
Like most CGMs, Stelo provides 24/7 glucose readings to a smartphone app for up to 15 days. The app offers personalized glucose insights and educational content to help users understand and manage their glucose levels.
It’s a slightly different, but competing idea as Abbott Lingo, which we’ve written about extensively here at Wareable. However, Lingo is pitched towards those interested in metabolic health as a lifestyle change, while the important distinction is that Stelo is aimed at those with Type 2 or pre-diabetes diagnosis – and looking to make changes to halt or reverse their condition.
The service is certainly low cost, and undercuts the likes of Nutrisense and Levels – which use Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGMs and can cost in excess of $250 a month.
Abbott is bringing out its own low-cost CGM, the Libre Rio – and its Lingo CGM costs £120 per month in the UK, with a US rollout imminent.
And Abbott commented on the launch of Stelo – with insights into its own line-up. Lisa Earnhardt, executive vice president and group president of Abbott’s medical devices business said:
“At Abbott, our product development is centered on truly understanding the diverse needs of those we serve. Glucose monitoring is not one-size-fits-all, so we’ve developed distinct products to meet different needs. We’ve developed two over-the-counter glucose monitors based on the world-leading FreeStyle Libre technology: Libre Rio will offer essential features for adults managing their Type 2 diabetes without insulin. And Lingo is designed for the general consumer who wants to improve their overall health and wellness by delivering personal coaching insights based on their body’s reaction to nutrition, exercise and life’s daily stressors.”
It’s fair to say the biowearables market is seriously hotting up.
