Roche’s foray into continuous glucose monitors dependent on AI efficacy: GlobalData

Roche’s artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled continuous glucose monitoring system has gained Conformité Européenne (CE) marking. If this AI tool can accurately predict glucose levels, this new tool has the potential to provide diabetic patients with a greater degree of control and prevent dangerous hypo- and hyperglycemic events. However, the system’s success hinges on the accuracy and reliability of its AI predictions, says GlobalData.

The AI-enabled continuous glucose monitoring system is said to provide diabetic patients in Europe with an additional option to measure and control their blood glucose levels, with the added benefit of a predictive tool that provides a forecast of their blood glucose levels for up to two hours using a connected mobile app.

GlobalData forecasts the continuous glucose monitors market to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.59 per cent from $4.7 billion in 2023 to $6.7 billion in 2033. This market growth will be fueled by the growing population of diabetics worldwide, continued demand for ease of use in the diabetic population, and new products entering the market. The current market leaders in the space include Medtronic and Abbott, with which Roche will be competing for market share.

David Beauchamp, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments, “Innovations, such as those developed by Roche, will provide new options to the ever-growing population of diabetics. The use of AI to provide diabetic patients with predictions to manage diabetes is new within the continuous glucose monitor market. However, competition in the space is intense and it remains to be seen if patients are willing to make the switch to another glucose monitor. Additionally, these AI predictions must be highly accurate and reliable, or risk being ignored by patients.”

Ensuring patient control of blood glucose levels is essential to managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The currently available continuous glucose monitoring systems provide real-time updates and connectivity to smartphone applications for patients’ ease of use. Roche’s continuous glucose monitor offers both in addition to the new AI component.

Beauchamp concludes, “Roche’s innovation in predictive AI for glucose monitoring could be an effective option for diabetics looking for greater control over their blood glucose levels. However, the success of this new continuous glucose monitor is dependent on the efficacy of the AI predictions. Existing devices on the market already offer high accuracy and ease of use, so the success of Roche’s continuous glucose monitor is tied to these AI innovations.”

Edits made by EH News Bureau