Diabetes technology company MiniMed is moving forward with plans to launch a new patch pump next summer, aiming to secure regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. The device, known as the MiniMed Fit, represents a significant step for the company, which spun out of Medtronic earlier this year and is now competing directly with Insulet for market share in the United States. While Insulet currently dominates the insulin patch pump sector, MiniMed is counting on the Fit to capture a larger share of the market.
Design and Target Audience
CEO Que Dallara outlined the specifications for the Fit during an earnings call. The patch pump features a 300-unit insulin reservoir and is designed for up to seven days of wear time. Dallara explained that the larger reservoir size is specifically intended to support people with Type 2 diabetes, who often require higher doses of insulin and would benefit from fewer device changes. This approach contrasts with some competitors who offer smaller reservoirs, though MiniMed believes the extended wear time is a critical advantage for managing the condition.
The Fit is not the only new technology in MiniMed’s pipeline. The company has also completed enrollment for a key trial involving a fully closed-loop automated insulin delivery system. This system is designed to calculate insulin needs throughout the day without requiring users to manually announce meals or count carbohydrates. Management expects to launch this feature commercially later next year.
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Expanding Wear Time and Sensor Technology
MiniMed is also developing a glucose sensor with a longer wear time than its current Simplera Sync model. To move this technology forward, the company received an investigational device exemption, which will allow it to begin a key trial this fall. While the company has not yet disclosed specific features or the target duration of the new sensor, current market leaders offer wear times ranging from 10 to 15 days. The Simplera Sync, which MiniMed currently uses, lasts for six days.
Competitive pressure in the sensor market has been intense. In 2024, MiniMed partnered with Abbott to integrate Abbott’s glucose sensors with its devices. Dallara acknowledged that continuous glucose monitors have been a challenge for the company historically, noting that the new sensor technology has been a driving factor behind recent sales growth.
Market Performance and Expansion
MiniMed raised its sales forecast for its 2027 fiscal year by half a percent, now expecting organic revenue growth of 10.5%. The company attributes this increased guidance to the U.S. launch of its smaller tubed insulin pump, the MiniMed Flex, which began shipping in late June. U.S. pump sales increased by 20% year over year, driven largely by the Flex’s debut.
