EASD 2023: Previewing the Latest on Diabetes Medications, Complications, and Technology
By April Hopcroft
Our team is on the way to Hamburg, Germany, to cover the latest in diabetes medications, research, and technology at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting. Here's what we're most excited about.
This week, diaTribe will attend the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting. Here’s an overview of what you can expect to read about in diaTribe Learn, including the latest data on new therapies for better glycemic and weight management, discussions on diabetes complications from heart to kidney and beyond, and insights into the benefits of diabetes tech for people with diabetes.
Live events: Solvable problems in diabetes
On Wednesday evening, the team will be hosting a panel discussion where we will hear from experts on optimizing care for type 2 diabetes. The event, chaired by Dr. Melanie Davies, will feature a panel of leading experts from across the world, who will explore the opportunities ahead and the challenges that remain.
We anticipate a lively discussion about dual and triple agonists for glucose and weight management, the role of technology and time in range in managing type 2 diabetes, issues of access and social determinants of health, and much more.
New therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity
Many EASD sessions are focused on incretin-based therapies, including dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist Mounjaro (tirzepatide), dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonist cotadutide, and dual glucagon/GLP-1 agonist pemvidutide.
We’re especially looking forward to a session dedicated to tirzepatide, which includes a comparison of tirzepatide vs. semaglutide and an analysis of tirzepatide’s effects on markers of kidney disease.
We’ll also tune in for full results from SURMOUNT-4, following initial positive results showing an average of 21% weight loss among adults with overweight or obesity.
Also in new therapies, an oral presentation session will cover once-weekly insulins, including the full readout of ONWARDS 6 for Novo Nordisk’s once-weekly insulin icodec in people with type 1 diabetes.
Advancements in diabetes tech
A major focus of this year’s meeting is automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. We’re especially looking forward to the EASD/Novo Nordisk Foundation Diabetes Prize for Excellence on Wednesday night, where pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Roman Havorka will present his research on AID as “diabetes tech at its best.”
On Thursday, we’ll tune into a session featuring real-world data from studies using different AID systems, including the MiniMed 780G and Omnipod 5.
Many sessions will explore the role of diabetes tech in pregnancy. We’re eager to attend a debate on the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) during pregnancy in women with diabetes, as well as Dr. Helen Murphy’s presentation of a trial using AID in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes complications
This year’s conference features numerous sessions on kidney and cardiovascular disease, as well as other diabetes complications including liver disease and diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage).
Thursday is a particularly packed day for diabetes complications with presentations from experts like Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui on Lexicon’s LX9211, an oral treatment for neuropathic pain that has received FDA Fast Track designation.
Turning to cardiac complications, we’re looking forward to new research on trends in survival after a first heart attack in people with diabetes. Briefly, the analysis found that mortality rates after a first heart attack fell over the past 15 years for people with type 2 (but not type 1) diabetes. Other sessions we’ll be focusing on include diabetic cardiomyopathy and chronic kidney disease in type 1 diabetes.
Overcoming mental health challenges
Several sessions will explore mental health in diabetes, as well as the potential of technology to improve quality of life. This year’s conference also features research on the connection between glucose control and brain health, dementia, and sleep.
To close out EASD 2023, we’ll hear from an esteemed panel about the EASD/ADA report on hyperglycemic crises in adults with diabetes. Last updated in 2009, the report provides a deep dive into diabetic ketoacidosis, from global trends and diagnosis to management and complications.
To learn more about the conference and see the full program, visit the EASD 2023 website.
Get real-time updates on the latest at the conference by following along on diaTribe’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
