Third-party digital health companies can now integrate Dexcom’s continuous glucose monitoring data into their platforms and devices in real-time thanks to a new FDA clearance for the company’s Partner Web APIs.

The data integration capabilities are available to companies on an invite-only basis. So far, wearable device-maker Garmin and chronic-condition-management company Livongo have entered the testing and development phase.

“Garmin welcomes the opportunity to bring Dexcom CGM data to runners, cyclists and everyday users who rely on the technology 24/7 to proactively manage their diabetes,” Joe Schrick, vice president of fitness at Garmin, said in a statement.

 “We are proud to be part of this integration that will allow users a secondary way to quickly and discreetly view estimated glucose levels and trends right from their smartwatch at any time.”

Dexcom’s Partner Web APIs will allow users to view all of their diabetes care data in one place to enable in-the-moment feedback and adjustments, the company said in the announcement.

WHY THIS MATTERS

More than 34 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, making up 10.5% of the total population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The good news for people living with diabetes is that they can live long and healthy lives by managing their condition, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. They can do so by managing their blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels; following a well-balanced diet; getting enough physical activity; and consistently taking their medications.

But when managed poorly, diabetes can lead to hospitalization, kidney disease and death. Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2017, according to the CDC.

Dexcom hopes that its APIs will give its users more freedom in their diabetes management plans.

“FDA clearance of our real-time APIs further solidifies Dexcom as the leader in interoperable CGM, giving Dexcom users even more choice in how they view and interact with their glucose data,” Jake Leach, chief technology officer at Dexcom, said in a statement.

“The new APIs will help seamlessly integrate the power of real-time Dexcom CGM data into some of the leading diabetes and digital health solutions.”

THE LARGER TREND

This isn’t Dexcom’s first time integrating its CGM data with third-party devices. In May, it, along with other diabetes management companies, inked a deal with Eli Lilly to connect the Eli Lilly Tempo line of products with its CGM devices.

Outside of increasing its integration capabilities, Dexcom launched a venture fund aimed at investing in adjacent businesses and created the Global Movement for Time in Range, an educational campaign to raise awareness and adoption of time in range as the standard of care in diabetes management.

In other diabetes management news, multimodal healthcare provider Carbon Health recently entered the chronic condition space with its acquisition of Steady Health, an integrated diabetes-care platform.

Roche updated its mySugar app with a module that lets users control their Accu-Chek Insight insulin pump virtually.

Also, Bigfoot Biomedical scored FDA clearance for its Bigfoot Unity Diabetes Management System, which gives users insulin-dose recommendations based on a physician’s instructions.