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Continuous glucose monitoring: a milestone​​​​​​​ for US diabetes care

The FDA approval of Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre Flash continuous glucose monitor marks a breakthrough for diabetes care in the US, according to GlobalData.

At the end of September, Abbott received FDA approval for the FreeStyle Libre Flash continuous glucose monitor (CGM). Although the device received CE mark approval in 2014, it is the first FDA-approved CGM to not require the standard finger pricking for system calibration, signifying a milestone in diabetes care and management for US patients.


The FreeStyle Libre sensor, which can be worn for up to ten days at time, captures and transmits blood glucose data to a handheld reader. The continuous data stream will serve to fill in gaps that exist with traditional blood glucose monitoring systems, and make physician and patient management of diet, treatment, and lifestyle more convenient for patients in the US.


GlobalData estimates the global market for blood glucose monitors, comprising CGMs and traditional glucose meters, was valued at $1.6bn in 2017. Driven by the expanding diabetic population and the need for remote, patient self-monitoring systems, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% through 2022.

GlobalData anticipates increasing competition in the glucose monitoring market.

Blood Glucose Meters - Pipeline 2017


  • Early Development26
  • Pre-clinical6
  • Clinical44
  • In approval process24

CGMs accounted for nearly 48% of revenue in 2017, and are expected to grow rapidly at a CAGR of 10.3% to surpass traditional glucose meters’ revenue by 2020.


GlobalData anticipates increasing competition in the glucose monitoring market, as innovative solutions integrating CGM and wireless capabilities emerge. Bolstered by the need for improved systems, the glucose monitoring pipeline is bursting with nearly 200 blood glucose meters, both traditional and CGM, in various stages of development. With nearly half of these systems already in the clinical phase, the race to market ever more advanced glucose monitoring systems is on.