Technological innovation for people suffering from diabetes

Air Liquide supports innovation to improve the quality of life of people with diabetes. The Group, via its venture capital investment fund ALIAD, has acquired an equity stake in the French start-up Diabeloop. This start-up is working on a medical device capable of automatically delivering the correct dose of insulin to patients with type-1 diabetes^(a). Interview with Erik Huneker, its founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Could you tell us more about the solution that you are working on?

Erik Huneker: We are developing a personalized system that reproduces the functions of the pancreas that have been destroyed by type-1 diabetes. Through an insulin pump and a blood sugar sensor, both connected and driven by an algorithm, the optimal dose of insulin is calculated and delivered to the patient in real time.

How long have you been working with Air Liquide?

E. H.: In 2017, Air Liquide invested in our start-up and is now helping us bring this system to the market. In addition to their connection to patients and hospitals, this collaboration gives us access to home healthcare providers who help patients in their day-to-day lives. Their experience is essential.

How will this innovation change the lives of patients with diabetes?

E. H.: This disruptive innovation will help improve the daily lives of the millions of people affected by this disease in Europe. By making the management of this condition partially automatic, this technology will spare patients the burden of making complex calculations and will optimize their treatment.

(a) Diabetes refers to an excess of glucose in the blood over a prolonged period of time. In the case of type-1 diabetes, or insulin dependent diabetes, this imbalance is caused by the destruction of pancreatic cells specialized in insulin production by the patient’s own immune system.

(b) International Diabetes Federation - Facts and figures - 2019.