Abbott Launches OTC Continuous Glucose Monitor

Abbott Laboratories has become the latest company to release an over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor.

The Abbott Park, IL-based company said that its Lingo system is now available without a prescription. The system includes a biosensor and a mobile app and was cleared by FDA in June.

The technology is available for consumers 18 years and older not on insulin and is designed for those who want to improve their overall health and wellness.  

"There is a great deal of interest in tracking biomarkers that provide insights into one's health and wellness that were previously undetectable using the trackers available to consumers," said Olivier Ropars, divisional vice president of Abbott's Lingo business. "Glucose is a powerful signal of your body's unique response to food and lifestyle. Abbott's Lingo tracks your glucose 24/7, translating the data into insights and bridging the gap between traditional healthcare and preventative measures. Lingo empowers individuals to build new healthy habits and take control of their health and wellness."

Marie Thibault, an analyst with BTIG, wrote about the market opportunity for Lingo in a research note.
"When we met with management last month (see here), they sized the target market opportunity at a ~500M patient TAM, split roughly even between the U.S. and OUS," Thibault wrote in a research note.

Related:Abbott Scores a 'Long-Awaited Win' in Diabetes

Abbott has also developed the Libre Rio, which is designed for adults with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin and typically manage their diabetes through lifestyle modifications. 

Abbott’s launch comes a little more than a week after Dexcom launched Stelo, another over-the-counter CGM. Stelo is specifically designed for those with type 2 diabetes not using insulin and those with prediabetes.