A Universal Milestone for Dexcom G6

Polaris Dawn mission astronauts recently brought a little piece of Earth with them to the heavens.

The four-member crew wore the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System from DexCom Inc. as part of the Polaris Dawn mission, which aimed to better understand the effects of spaceflight on human health.
 
While in orbit, the Polaris Dawn crew conducted scientific research designed to advance both human health on Earth and an understanding of human health during long-duration spaceflights. Given that one in 10¹ people globally live with diabetes, it’s essential to understand the impact of space travel on human health to ensure it is accessible and inclusive of all people, including those living with diabetes and other chronic health conditions.
 
“…Dexcom has been responsible for bringing almost every major ‘first’ to market for the CGM category. This health research driven mission marks another first for Dexcom, with our CGMs being worn by astronauts in outer space,” Dexcom Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jake Leach said. “We are thrilled to play a role in building a future where people with diabetes are empowered to accomplish anything they set their minds to—including the possibility of exploring outer space—without being held back by their condition.”
 
Dexcom CGM systems consist of a small, wearable sensor that continually measures and sends glucose data wirelessly to a smart device* or receiver, giving users accurate² real-time glucose data without the need to scan or prick their finger.† Dexcom CGMs have remote monitoring and reporting capabilities and also provide personalized, actionable insights that empower people to solve important health challenges.
 
During their five-day space jaunt, the Polaris Dawn crew conducted about 40 scientific experiments, including several to better understand the effects of spaceflight on glucose health. Labfront, a platform assisting health researchers in collecting and analyzing physiological data, collaborated with Dexcom to provide advanced analytics for the data collected using Dexcom CGM. The research will explore how microgravity, fluid shifts, and blood flow restriction exercises impact glucose regulation.
 
“Glucose is a critical biomarker for understanding metabolic responses in space, and analyzing its dynamics and interplay with other physiological biomarkers will provide invaluable data for this mission’s scientific objectives,” said Dr. Andrew Ahn, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Labfront’s chief medical officer.
 
Dexcom recently launched Stelo, the first glucose biosensor cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use without a prescription and available for use by all adults not using insulin in the United States. Dexcom is the most recommended‡ CGM brand by both patients³ and healthcare providers,⁴ offering a portfolio of glucose biosensors designed to address the needs of people with all types of diabetes and prediabetes.
 
DexCom develops continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., and with operations across Europe and select parts of Asia/Oceania, Dexcom has emerged as a leader of diabetes care technology. 
 
*Smart device sold separately. For a list of compatible devices, visit www.Dexcom.com/compatibility.
†Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡Based on a comparison in NPS scores across major CGM brands.

References
¹ International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 10th edn. Brussels, Belgium: 2021. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org.
² Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2024;18(1):143-7.
³ dQ&A US Q1 2023 US Diabetes Connections Patient Panel Report.
⁴ Seagrove HCP Survey Q2 2022.