What’s new in 2026?

Credentialled Diabetes Educator and Registered Nurse, Carolien Koreneff (FADEA), shares her insights into the latest developments in diabetes care.

Technology

Innovation is accelerating faster than ever. Even from the time this article was written, to the time it gets published, things will have progressed. Pump companies are constantly working on new designs with more user-friendly factors and smarter algorithms. Newer pumps will be able to function with little or no user input, through to advanced, fully closed-loop algorithms.

There are more tubeless patch pumps in development, as well as pumps that are screenless, and that do not require any carbohydrate counting. The future of Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) is looking increasingly customisable, intuitive, and streamlined.

Hybrid versus full closed-loop systems

Currently, most available insulin pumps are hybrid closed-loop. This means the user has to let the pump know what they are doing, so it can adjust therapy; such as when having a meal or exercising. A hybrid closed-loop insulin pump uses a combination of a compatible continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor, a program or algorithm, and an insulin pump, to give the user automated background, or basal, insulin. But these systems still require manual input for bolus doses with meals.

A fully automated closed-loop insulin delivery system, if achieved, will carry all functionality of delivering basal and bolus doses. The idea is that they will not need any user input, so users will no longer have to count carbs.

Omnipod is one company that is working hard at developing their algorithm to achieve a more fully automated closed-loop system. They have already tested a fully automated closed-loop system in both people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. With their current hybrid closed loop (HCL) system, for people with type 1 diabetes they achieved a 37% time in range (TIR) with no logging of any activities or food. It went up to 57% TIR with the newer algorithm. In people with type 2 diabetes, it went from 52% to 65% TIR. Of course, these numbers are below the general recommendation which suggests aiming for a minimum of 70% TIR, but to get these higher numbers without counting and entering any carbs is a start. The target is to develop pumps that can get to above 70% TIR so the user can enjoy a pump that is convenient, comfortable, and helps them achieve glucose targets.

Tubed or tubeless?

Tubed insulin pumps deliver insulin via a small tube that connects the pump to the body. These pumps have been known to be more robust and deliver more precise basal and bolus insulin doses, due to offering more adjustable insulin delivery options.

Tubeless insulin pumps, more commonly referred to as patch pumps, are worn directly on the skin and deliver the insulin wirelessly. Tubeless pumps offer ease of use and flexibility, ideal for those who value convenience and a discreet, mobile option.

Tubed pumps are more expensive outright, although with the right private health insurance are often fully covered. Replacement tubing, cartridges, and infusion sets, are needed every few days, which add to the ongoing running costs. The NDSS subsidised these costs, at least in part, for eligible participants. For more information check: www.ndss.com.au or call 1800 637 700.

Tubeless pumps are reliable but require more frequent replacements, as each pod is only meant to be worn for a few days. The absence of tubes minimises the chance of tangling, pulling, or disconnection, which enhances overall ease of use.

Both tubed and tubeless insulin pumps have unique strengths that cater to different lifestyles and management preferences.

What’s new in tubed pumps?

Beta Bionics’ new MINT system, which is short for Mini INsulin Therapy, was launched at the American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting 2025. It is not yet known when it will make its way to Australia.

The MINT is a two-part pump system that consists of a reusable controller and a disposable cartridge. The controller lasts two years and does not need charging. It is adaptive to closed-loop algorithms, and is IOS and Android smartphone controlled. The cartridge has three-day wear and runs on disposable batteries. The cartridge holds up to 200 units of insulin, contains a 4.5mm steel cannula, and features a 12-hour grace period. There is no need for carb counting with this pump; users just estimate the carbs in their meal.

Beta Bionics also has the iLet Bionic Pancreas, which can be used with either the Freestyle Libre 3 or the Dexcom G7 CGM. It is an automated insulin delivery (AID) system that reduces the need for the user to make decisions about their diabetes management, because it makes the decisions for them. The iLet continuously learns the user’s insulin needs and adjusts insulin doses as needed. Instead of carb counting everything on the plate, the iLet just needs an estimate of the carbs in a meal – usual, more, or less. It is expected that this system will be released in the US by the end of 2027.

Medtronic is working on their 8 Series, a next generation tubed pump which should last up to seven days with their extended infusion set. This compact device, which is just half the size of the current Minimed 780G pump, does not have a screen, but would be controlled from either an iPhone or Android smart phone. It appears to have one button, which we assume is for bolus doses, so the user can still bolus even if their phone is not near them.

Medtronic told investors that a pivotal trial would happen in 2025. This could mean that we start seeing the pump soon, although it would first need to get approval from the Therapeutic Goods Authority of Australia (TGA).

The Kaleido system consists of two pumps and one handset, body patches, and two different lengths of tubing, to allow users to choose how to wear it. The pumps and handset come in 10 colour combinations. The manufacturer, ViCentra, is preparing for the launch of DBLG2, a new Hybrid Closed Loop app with a self-learning algorithm developed by Diabeloop, designed to work seamlessly with the Kaleido insulin pump from a compatible Android smartphone.

Kaleido 2 is another sleek next generation pump. It comes in six different colours, is 10% smaller than its predecessor, and has a longer battery life. It is a hybrid pump that can be worn on the skin or in a pocket, similar to the Tandem Mobi we mentioned previously. Kaleido 2 does not have a screen, but it has a gyroscope, which means that pumps in the future could have the ability to also monitor the user’s movements. If that can be worked into the algorithm it would be a gamechanger, as movement has a huge impact on glucose levels. It is expected to be launched overseas at the end of 2026.

What’s new in tubeless pumps?

Sigi is a new pump by Tandem, the makers of the popular t:slim X2. It is a tubeless pump that recharges on its own little cradle, and has a disposable pad. It is possible that users will get two Sigi pumps; one that can be worn on the body, while the other one charges. This would guarantee continuity of insulin delivery.

Sigi is waterproof, so swimming and showering should not be an issue, just like the current Omnipod systems.

It is expected that this pump will be able to be used with standard, pre-filled insulin cartridges, making loading the device a breeze. It looks like you will be able to transfer the insulin cartridges from one pod to another, meaning less insulin is wasted.

Medtrum TouchCare Nano Pump is said to be the world’s smallest 200-unit patch pump, to date. It is also available as a 300-unit, tube-free patch pump, with up to three days of continuous insulin delivery, which could make it an option for people with insulin resistance and who therefore require more insulin.

The TouchCare is waterproof and discreet, has an option to integrate with Nano CGM, and can be used with either a wireless handset, also known as a Personal Diabetes Manager (PDM), or a smartphone control option.

There are other patch pumps that are in development or have recently been released overseas, some of which we have previously mentioned. These include:

• The twiist Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System which offers a variety of flexible wear options. It has optional features such as pre-meal and workout presets, to help the user adapt their glucose settings to their meal and exercise requirements. It is also the only AID System that allows people to change their original carb entry after a meal, to accommodate the unpredictability of real life. This is all because of the looping interface, powered by Tidepool, which means that everything is customisable. Although the twist currently uses an old loop version (version 1.0), there are some additional features that users of the system will undoubtedly find useful.
• The niia essential is a basal‐bolus insulin pump without all the bells and whistles.
• The niia advanced can be controlled via a smartphone and offers more user options, it is connectable to an external continuous glucose sensor (CGM).
• The niia signature will be a combined insulin patch pump and CGM system in one device. The patented technology allows this device to both measure the glucose level and deliver insulin from one single patch. That means only one device to learn, manage, and wear.

Medtronic is thought to be also working on an all-in-one pump and CGM combination system.

Other news in pumps

Tandem’s SteadiSet is a seven-day infusion set that recently received clearance from the Food and Drug Authority of America (FDA). It will be a while before it is available in Australia. The good thing about this device is that it can be operated with just one hand, no need to twist it, or untangle it.

The benefits of seven-day infusion sets extend past mere convenience. Medtronic already has a seven-day infusion set on the market, and research done with this seven-day set shows that the insulin absorbs more steadily and consistently, resulting in less hypoglycaemia and improving TIR. There are also less infusion site problems reported.

What’s new in continuous glucose monitors?

The GS3 by SiBionics has a three-second activation and is the world’s thinnest continuous glucose monitor to date, at just 2.9mm thick. It weighs 1.7g, and has three connection methods, ensuring compatibility with a variety of smartphones. GS3 can connect directly with Smartwatch and Receiver, and the Bluetooth range is also expanded to 10 meters. It received TGA approval and is expected to be available in Australia in early 2026.

The Instinct sensor by Medtronic and Abbott is currently under review by the FDA. This sensor is exclusively designed for MiniMed; it is hoped this sensor will help turn MiniMed pumps into full closed-loop systems.

Abbott is also working on an updated app for use with the Freestyle Libre 3, that will have more, customisable, alarms. This will bring the Freestyle Libre 3 more in line with Dexcom CGMs. The Freestyle Libre 3+ is said to be able to integrate with more pumps, including the Tandem t:slim X2.

Dexcom has updated the G7 app so the user can photograph their meals. These photos will be plotted on the CGM graphs, helping the user to see how different food types affect their glucose levels. They are even working on using AI to identify the nutrient content of the food in the photograph.

All-in-one devices

Abbott is developing a first-of-its-kind dual monitoring system that will enable people with diabetes to continuously monitor glucose and ketone levels in one sensor. A continuous glucose-ketone monitor is especially important for people with diabetes who may be at higher risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis. Recent studies show continuous ketone monitoring (CKM) could help prevent DKA, as rising ketone levels can indicate missed insulin injections or a failing insulin pump. Measuring ketone levels could also be useful for people on low carb diets.

The twiist, mentioned above, is the first pump to partner with the implantable Eversense 365 CGM. The Eversense does not have any warm-up times, no gaps in data due to changing out sensors as the sensors last a whole year and seem well suited to be matched with an AID system. At this stage the user would still have to wear a transmitter on the outside of their skin, but it appears that Ascencia is now working on a transmitter that is also inserted, along with the sensor.

Glucotrack is a three-year implantation, but the sensor is not implanted below the skin. Instead, it is implanted in a blood vessel in the upper chest, which means that there will not be any lag time. This is particularly important when glucose levels are rapidly changing such as after a meal, when exercising, or if a person is having a hypo. This intravascular continuous blood glucose monitor’s transmitter is implanted under the skin, with the sensor in a blood vessel, so everything is in the body, similar to a pacemaker. Studies are underway in Europe and are scheduled to commence in Australia later in 2026.

Other tech

Another bit of technology that we came across, that some clients may find useful, is the Glucose Projector by MultiLogic. This device projects the CGM data directly from the app onto the wall or ceiling. This can help minimise disturbance in the middle of the night.

Bigfoot Unity includes pen caps that incorporate CGM data and insulin dose recommendations for people on multiple daily injections (MDI). It integrates with the Freestyle Libre 2 sensor, collects important data, and provides low glucose alerts. It is currently available in the US as a bundled prescription, with a white cap for rapid-acting insulin, a black cap for long-acting insulin, Freestyle Libre 2 sensor, a blood glucose meter, and a mobile app.

Please note: The systems and tools mentioned in this article are either still in development or available overseas. It is not known if, or when, they will be available in Australia. It is up to individual companies to apply for TGA approval, before the products will be allowed to be imported.