Klue, a digital health startup focused on behavior tracking and change, is exploring the realm of Type 1 diabetes. It launched a new feature that includes a reminder for mealtime insulin administration.
The San Mateo, California company offers AI technology that pairs with the Apple Watch. Klue’s platform can detect eating and drinking gestures and distinguish them from other hand movements.
At the HLTH conference in Las Vegas in May, the startup revealed two modules: the Mindful Eating Messenger, which pinpoints when, how fast and how much a user consumes, and the Hydration Coach, which allows individuals to set hydration goals and track their progress.
Like its other modules, Klue’s new feature for Type 1 diabetes also operates with the Apple Watch. In a phone interview, Klue founder and CEO Katelijn Vleugels said her company is working on supporting capabilities with other types of wearables.
When a user is eating a meal, the Klue diabetes feature will send a real-time reminder to administer insulin. Additionally, the module includes automated text messaging, which allows caregivers to stay in the loop about their loved one’s care.
“It’s basically a combination of helping the user manage his diabetes combined with giving peace of mind to those caring for their loved one,” Vleugels said.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
With the move into diabetes, Klue is tackling a large portion of the population. According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 1.25 million American children and adults have Type 1 diabetes. But not all of those individuals have an Apple Watch or even a wearable. How can Klue make a dent in outcomes when it can only target the small portion of diabetics with Apple Watches?
When asked this question, Vleugels pointed to a push in wearable adoption. She said Klue is seeing tech companies like Apple and Fitbit “making it a really high priority to get these devices in as many people’s hands as possible.”
She also pointed to health plans and providers that are subsidizing wearables for members and patients.
Patients with Type 1 diabetes can try out the feature in the Klue Health app for the Apple Watch. It’s currently available through a free trial, but spots are limited and are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Photo: gustavofrazao, Getty Images
