Abbott unveils new LibreLink app to help people manage diabetes

In order to further the mission to simplify diabetes management, Abbott announces a first-of-its-kind mobile app that will enable people with diabetes to access glucose data directly from their FreeStyle^® Libre sensor, on their smartphones.

When a FreeStyle Libre sensor is scanned by a smartphone running LibreLink apps, the Result Screen is displayed and shows the current glucose reading, up to eight hours of glucose history and a trend arrow indicating where glucose is heading. Notes can be added to each scan event, if desired.

Abbott, in partnership with AirStrip, today unveiled the LibreLink app for use with FreeStyle Libre sensors in the UK. LibreLink is the first and only mobile app approved by Abbott that can scan and receive glucose information directly from a FreeStyle Libre sensor and display it on a smartphone without having to use a separate reader. By simply holding their smartphone near their FreeStyle Libre sensor, a person with diabetes can view their current glucose—and more—directly on their smartphone in a matter of seconds.

Over 4 million people in the UK are living with diabetes and 4,500 people will discover they have diabetes each week.

The app, which is currently available for Android smartphones, will be available on Google Play. It uses the NFC (near-field communication) capabilities available on Android smartphones to communicate directly with the FreeStyle Libre sensor. The LibreLink app received CE Mark (Conformité Européenne) in May this year.

"LibreLink will make it easier and more convenient for people to manage their diabetes," said Jared Watkin, senior vice president, Diabetes Care, Abbott. "We first did this with the FreeStyle Libre system by eliminating the need for routine finger pricks to get a glucose reading. Now the LibreLink app makes diabetes management even more convenient by enabling transmission of glucose data directly to customers' smartphones—technology that is already seemlessly integrated into their everyday lives."

Data from the study also showed that the FreeStyle Libre system reduces all measures of hypoglycemia without increasing HbA1c (an average measurement of glucose levels in the blood over the past 90 days, typically understood to be the 'gold standard' of measuring overall glucose control) versus SMBG, showing that the FreeStyle Libre system can safely and successfully replace the need for routine finger sticks as a tool for managing diabetes.