5 Diabetes Industry Trend Takeaways from ATTD 2026
4/29/2026 Brian Doyle
The 19th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD 2026) took place March 11-14, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. Comprising five days of educational and informational sessions targeting the diabetes marketplace, ATTD 2026 boasted 90 exhibitors showcasing their latest products and technologies.
RRD participated in the event, promoting our array of solutions that help brands keep pace with industry evolution and accelerate speed to market. During our time at ATTD 2026, we identified five key trends currently reshaping the diabetes care landscape:
1. Market fragmentation and new global entrants
The technology in the treatment of diabetes is changing very fast, which is causing major changes throughout the market. Relatively new incumbents — Insulet, Tandem, and Dexcom, for example — are becoming major players. Meanwhile, some of the more established companies in the blood glucose monitoring (BGM) space are partnering with newer device companies to enhance their product offering and offer closed-loop solutions.
In addition, the industry is seeing an influx of Asian companies that are launching devices at a lower cost point compared to those devices from more established companies. There were few, if any, similar companies in the diabetes market just five years ago.
2. Cross-company collaboration for integrated care
Because closed-loop systems — those comprising a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pod or pump (IDD) — are delivering much improved patient outcomes, companies are beginning to work together to ensure their technologies complement each other. An example of this type of collaboration is the Dexcom G7 CGM sensor and its integration with the Insulet OP5 insulin delivery service, which allows for automated insulin adjustments.
3. The shift toward platform-based device utility
Companies that develop diabetes devices are now investigating how these same devices can be used to deliver treatments for other medical conditions. Some devices, for example, are being repurposed as “platform technologies” that will deliver treatments for conditions ranging from obesity and heart disease to Alzheimer's and sleep apnea.
This expansion of a device’s utility increases a company’s addressable market, of course, while also reducing development costs, accelerating time to market, and simplifying their supply chain, among other benefits. There are also benefits to patients, including the ability to leverage data across multiple programs.
4. Watch connectivity is changing the user experience
Dexcom’s "direct-to-watch" technology allows CGM data to bypass a smartphone and show up directly on a user’s smartwatch. Users do not have to be tied to their phone, a significant convenience during exercise or sleeping.
Abbott has also joined the data-on-wrist fray, with their FreeStyle Libre app now supporting smartwatch integration (mirrored from a smartphone). All signs point to other companies jumping on the bandwagon to develop similar wearable tech.
5. Transitioning to extended wear cycles
The industry standard for insulin pump infusion sets is moving from three days to seven days. This transition to seven-day infusion sets optimizes patient therapy by doubling the wear-duration per site, significantly reducing clinical waste, operational costs, and the burden of frequent insertions.
Medtronic launched the first FDA-cleared seven-day infusion set in 2021. Now, another company is following suit: Tandem’s SteadiSet was cleared by the FDA in 2025 and is scheduled to reach the market this year. Meanwhile, newer CGMs are standardizing on 15-day wear cycles.
ATTD 2027, the 20th International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes, will take place in Paris, France, March 3–6, 2027.
Brian Doyle is Senior Director, Global Business Development, for RRD Supply Chain Solutions.
Are you looking to accelerate your diabetes tech to market? RRD manages kitting, product configuration, assembly, and co-packing requirements in facilities throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.