Biotech
Friday, September 6th, 2024 3:45 pm EDT
Key Points
- Abbott Laboratories has launched Lingo, an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, now available in the U.S. starting at $49. Unlike traditional glucose monitors used for diabetes management, Lingo is aimed at health-conscious adults who do not take insulin. It is designed to help users understand how their glucose levels respond to food, exercise, sleep, and stress, and to improve overall health and wellness by monitoring and managing glucose fluctuations.
- Lingo provides real-time glucose data through an app, which displays readings and graphs showing a “healthy range.” The device features a unique metric called the “Lingo Count,” which quantifies the impact of glucose spikes—rapid increases and decreases in blood sugar levels. This metric helps users understand and manage these spikes better, potentially improving their sleep, mood, and weight management.
- Abbott offers Lingo at multiple price points to make it accessible and affordable, with options to buy one sensor for $49, two for $89, or six for $249. This pricing strategy is intended to attract a broad range of consumers, including those who do not qualify for prescription coverage. Abbott’s competitor, Dexcom, has also introduced a similar product called Stelo, priced at $89 per month. While both devices cater to a similar market, Abbott’s Lingo focuses on preventive health rather than diabetes management.
Abbott Laboratories has launched Lingo, an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, now available in the U.S. starting at $49. Lingo is part of a new wave of consumer-friendly biosensors designed to help individuals track their glucose levels to enhance overall health and wellness, rather than manage diabetes. Unlike traditional continuous glucose monitors intended for diabetes patients, Lingo targets adults who are not on insulin but are interested in improving their health by understanding how their glucose levels respond to various lifestyle factors like food, exercise, sleep, and stress. Elevated glucose levels, if left unchecked, can lead to serious health conditions such as metabolic disease, insulin resistance, and heart disease.
Lingo offers users a way to monitor their glucose levels in real-time, with data transmitted wirelessly to an app that displays readings and graphs showing a “healthy range” for glucose levels. One unique feature of Lingo is the “Lingo Count,” an algorithm that quantifies the impact of glucose spikes, which are rapid increases and decreases in blood sugar often occurring after meals. The app helps users track these spikes, set daily targets to stay below, and provides insights into how spikes affect their body. It also offers interactive graphs, educational resources, and challenges to engage users in better managing their glucose levels.
Abbott aims to make Lingo accessible with various pricing options: one sensor for $49, two sensors for $89, and six sensors for $249, each lasting up to 14 days. This approach is designed to reduce the intimidation of committing to a long-term monitoring plan. Abbott’s competitor, Dexcom, has also introduced a similar product, Stelo, which is priced at $89 per month or $99 for a one-month supply. While both Lingo and Dexcom’s Stelo are available for non-diabetic users, Abbott’s Lingo app is specifically aimed at enhancing health and wellness before significant issues arise. The company emphasizes that Lingo represents a proactive approach to health, offering insights to help users make informed lifestyle changes.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/05/-abbott-launches-its-first-over-the-counter-continuous-glucose-monitor-in-the-us.html
