Huons and Kakao Healthcare Join Forces for Diabetes Management with Next-Generation CGM Dexcom G7

Kakao Healthcare and Huons are intensifying their collaboration for diabetes and blood glucose management solutions.

Yoon Sang-bae, CEO of Huons (left), and Hwang Hee, CEO of Kakao Healthcare, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a domestic sales cooperation agreement for the next-generation CGM, 'Dexcom G7.'
[Photo by Huons]

On the 6th, Huons and Kakao Healthcare announced that they signed a domestic sales cooperation agreement for the continuous glucose monitor (CGM) 'Dexcom G7' at the Ajit in Pangyo, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province on the 3rd. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from both companies, including Hwang Hee, CEO of Kakao Healthcare, and Yoon Sang-bae, CEO of Huons.

Through this agreement, the two companies plan to continue stable sales of the Dexcom G7, jointly striving to achieve the number one domestic sales position and improve convenience for diabetes patients. Huons has been the exclusive supplier of Dexcom's CGM in Korea, selling the 'Dexcom G6,' and Kakao Healthcare signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Dexcom headquarters in April for a mobile-based patient blood glucose management service, followed by a formal contract in June.

The Dexcom G7 received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December last year and was authorized by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety last month, aiming for a domestic launch in the first quarter of next year. To this end, the two companies will jointly conduct various marketing activities such as diabetes patient education and counseling programs, medical staff information provision programs, and operation of blood glucose-related supporters.

Regular blood glucose checks are essential for patients with diabetes. However, the conventional self-monitoring blood glucose meter (SBGM), which measures blood glucose through direct blood sampling, is cumbersome and places a psychological burden on patients. In contrast, CGM, which is attached to the arm or abdomen, automatically and continuously measures blood glucose, greatly enhancing patient convenience.

The Dexcom G7 further enhances the advantages of CGM. The sensor and transmitter are integrated into one unit, and the size has been reduced by 60% compared to the previous G6. The system warm-up time has been significantly shortened to 30 minutes, and the accuracy indicator, Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD), has improved, allowing for precise blood glucose monitoring.

Additionally, Dexcom's CGM automatically measures blood glucose and transmits the data to smart devices such as smartphones, increasing convenience. It also features an alert function that sends warnings in advance when rapid blood glucose changes are predicted, helping patients manage their blood glucose proactively in real time. Blood glucose values are automatically measured even during times when self-monitoring is impossible, such as during sleep or exercise, and the measurements can be shared with up to 10 people, including family members other than the patient, aiding focus on daily life. In particular, it allows detailed monitoring not only of blood glucose levels but also of trends and fluctuations, enabling systematic blood glucose management. Furthermore, it is expected to improve patients' quality of life and enhance usability through personalized alert sound settings, a simplified application, and individual packaging releases.

Meanwhile, Kakao Healthcare plans to introduce ultra-personalized digital blood glucose management services that combine blood glucose and lifestyle data in countries such as the United States, the Middle East, and Japan. It also plans to improve medical staff convenience through integration with hospital electronic medical records (EMR) and data linkage.

Yoon Sang-bae, CEO of Huons, said, "Through collaboration with Kakao Healthcare, we will expand the domestic CGM market and enhance the convenience of diabetes management to help improve the quality of life for diabetes patients." Hwang Hee, CEO of Kakao Healthcare, also stated, "We will provide services that address the unmet needs (Pain Points) from the perspectives of patients and medical staff and enable patients to improve their lifestyle habits on their own."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.