Abbott announced that its Libre Sense Glucose Sport Biosensor has achieved a CE Mark, paving the way for a European roll-out.  

The Libre Sense biosensor provides continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to help athletes understand the efficacy of their nutrition choices on training and competition.

Based on Abbott's FreeStyle Libre technology for people living with diabetes, it is the first personal-use product that allows for sports use.  

When worn on the arm, the biosensor provides real-time glucose values, which are streamed via Bluetooth through compatible mobile apps and wrist readers.

Abbott is collaborating with US-based sports technology company Supersapiens, which will translate the glucose readings through its app.  

The product will initially be made available across Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland and the UK.

WHY IT MATTERS

Tracking and understanding glucose levels enable athletes to fuel appropriately through nutrition to help avoid fatigue from low glucose and to know when to replenish during training and competition to maintain peak performance.

As part of an observational trial, two cycling teams taking part in the Tour de France, wore Abbott's Libre Sense biosensor while training. This allowed them to track their glucose data to help inform them of fuelling strategies to prepare them for the race. 

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Earlier this month, Abbott announced that its recently cleared FreeStyle Libre 2 integrated CGM system is now covered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the US, and available to Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who meet eligibility criteria.

Meanwhile, Belgian startup Indigo Diabetes announced a €38 million ($44.6 million) Series B funding round to develop an under the skin CGM sensor and corresponding app, which could send real-time warnings and alerts to a patient’s smartphone.

Dexcom also recently announced that it is exploring  plans to expand its CGM technology to people without diabetes.

ON THE RECORD

Jared Watkin, senior vice president, Diabetes Care at Abbott, said: "This is just the beginning – our breakthrough sensing technology has the potential to go beyond glucose and provide a lens into what's happening in the human body that could provide meaningful insights into other conditions, treatments, and ultimately improve health."

Phil Southerland, founder of Supersapiens, said: "With Abbott's Libre Sense, for the first time, an athlete will have access to glucose data to help give them insight into their body's fuel level at all times, fundamentally changing the way athletes think about energy management.

“By combining Abbott's proven track record in glucose sensing technology along with Supersapiens' app and personalised analytics, athletes will be primed to sustain peak performance."