​24 November 2023, Singapore – To advance the diagnostic capabilities and delivery of care for Type 1 Diabetes, SingHealth announced partnerships with global healthcare companies, Medtronic and Sanofi, on clinical innovation and research and training, respectively, for the condition. The partnerships seek to enhance accuracy of diagnosis and efficacy of treatment modalities for people with Type 1 Diabetes. Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Law, witnessed the inking of the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between the organisations at SingHealth's All For One event, a Type 1 Diabetes care forum, today.

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic and lifelong condition where the pancreas makes little or no insulin, and often requires daily administration of insulin. Type 1 Diabetes is less common than Type 2 Diabetes; it makes up about five to 10 per cent of all diabetes. It has no known preventive methods and has no cure. It can affect people of all ages, including children.

SingHealth-Medtronic partnership on smart diabetes management

As part of their partnership, SingHealth and Medtronic will work together to pilot and launch new medical technologies and treatment innovations in smart diabetes management for people with Type 1 Diabetes. This builds on the two organisations' longstanding collaboration in this area, which has yielded good fruits. For example, Medtronic piloted its Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop insulin pump system in SingHealth's hospitals in 2021, which enhanced diabetes management and received positive feedback from people with Type 1 Diabetes and caregivers of children with this condition. Since then, Medtronic has introduced the insulin pump system to other hospitals in Singapore to benefit more people with Type 1 Diabetes.

Innovation in smart diabetes management through automated insulin delivery supports people with Type 1 Diabetes to "live more and worry less". The Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop insulin pump system combines an insulin pump system for insulin delivery and a real-time continuous glucose monitor that measures glucose levels every five minutes without any finger pricks. This system can adjust insulin delivery automatically in response to changing glucose levels. With the system, people with Type 1 Diabetes can monitor their real-time glucose data via a smart phone application and make precise adjustments to insulin delivery based on their needs. For example, if glucose levels are rising, the system responds by delivering more insulin automatically. This allows people with Type 1 Diabetes to better manage their diabetes in a convenient and effective manner and reduces the number of insulin injections. Caregivers of people with Type 1 Diabetes can also have remote access to monitor their loved one's glucose levels via a smart phone app to be kept updated on their condition. 

Through this partnership, SingHealth and Medtronic will continue to explore clinical research, training and education opportunities in the diabetes domain. Additionally, the partnership will also allow for patient support initiatives, including the development of new patient programmes. By focusing on patient support, this collaboration aims to enhance awareness, empower individuals with diabetes, and contribute to their overall well-being.

"With the advancement in technology, diabetes management has also progressed through the years. Medtronic, as a leader in healthcare innovation, is constantly looking to transform diabetes care by expanding access, integrating care and introducing innovative technology to better help those living with diabetes take better control of their lives with less effort. We are excited about our partnership with SingHealth as this demonstrates the critical role that technology plays in improving healthcare outcomes. It also furthers Medtronic's ongoing commitment to providing patients and physicians with innovative healthcare solutions to enhance their quality of life," said Mr Darren Lim, Senior Country Director, Singapore, Medtronic.

SingHealth-Sanofi partnership to strengthen accuracy of Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis

Separately, SingHealth and Sanofi inked an MOU to improve outcomes for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes. A primary focus of this collaboration is enhancing the precision of Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis to enable a more accurate classification of the condition. International studies have revealed fundamental challenges with the classification of this disease due to the diagnostic algorithm of Type 1 Diabetes. It is estimated that, globally, a significant number of adults over the age of 30 diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes may, in fact, have Type 2 Diabetes due to overlapping symptoms and other complex clinical factors¹. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes require distinct treatments.
Through this partnership, SingHealth and Sanofi will explore various opportunities that aim to improve treatment outcomes for those with Type 1 Diabetes. To enable endocrinologists and internal medicine physicians across the ASEAN region to keep abreast of the latest advancements in Type 1 Diabetes' diagnostics capabilities and disease management therapies such as intensive insulin therapy, training programmes will be organised regularly as part of the MOU. For people with Type 1 Diabetes and their caregivers, knowledge on self-management of their condition is key. The partnership will leverage knowledge and learning platforms such as the Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating (DAFNE), a structured educational interventional programme that enables those with Type 1 Diabetes to match the amount of insulin they need and the food they choose to eat independently, and Getinsulinright.sg, Singapore's first e-learning platform dedicated to providing structured curriculum content on diabetes, to empower people with Type 1 Diabetes and caregivers with comprehensive information to properly manage their conditions.

"We are delighted to embark on this impactful partnership with SingHealth, underscoring our commitment to the well-being and resilience of individuals living with diabetes. This collaboration reflects our collective aspirations for a healthier future for people with Type 1 Diabetes," expressed Mr Haissam Chraiteh, Head of Community Asia & Eurasia and Country Lead Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore, General Medicines – Foundation, Sanofi.

Associate Professor Goh Su-Yen, Head of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Diabetes Centre and Senior Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital, said, "As Singapore continues its war against diabetes, we are constantly looking into ways to improve the full spectrum of diabetes care – from prevention, diagnosis, treatment to management of the condition. This includes care for Type 1 Diabetes, which is less common and is lesser known but requires specific clinical intervention and daily care. SingHealth is glad to have like-minded industry partners like Medtronic and Sanofi come alongside us to advance Type 1 Diabetes clinical innovation, research and training to improve care for those with this condition, and hopefully enable them to lead fuller, higher quality lives."

Professor Kenneth Kwek, Deputy Group CEO (Innovation & Informatics), SingHealth, said, "SingHealth is glad to deepen and expand our respective partnerships with Medtronic and Sanofi to improve the lives of people with Type 1 Diabetes and their caregivers. Synergising our respective strengths will allow us to co-create solutions and bring impact across a spectrum of areas including technology & innovation, clinical research and direct patient care. We are confident that these partnerships will elevate the current delivery and quality of care for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes, enable us to better journey with them and their caregivers, and bring hope and comfort to those who may be struggling to manage their condition."

 
About SingHealth's All For One Event

Jointly organised by the SingHealth Duke-NUS Diabetes Centre and SingHealth Centre for Person-Centred Care, in conjunction with World Diabetes Day, All For One seeks to strengthen the delivery of person-centred care for people living with Type 1 Diabetes using the Esther Café method – a tool to chart patient journeys, identify pain points and find out what matters to the patient. As part of strengthening care delivery for Type 1 Diabetes patients, SingHealth will sign MOUs with healthcare technology and pharmaceutical companies Medtronic and Sanofi to advance care for Type 1 Diabetes.