AI-based diabetes care platform approved by TGA

Digital & Innovation: A transformational virtual diabetes management company announced clearance from Australia’s regulatory body, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and it’s first commercial user in Australia.

Pops, a digital health company for diabetes and related chronic conditions, is already commercialised in the United States.

Pops provides a consumer-centric solution to enable people to manage their condition while they live their life. The solution centres around Mina, an AI-driven virtual coach, who is with the person 24/7 in their phone. Mina is wirelessly connected to the Rebel glucometer, which enables glucose testing more discreetly and painlessly. The Rebel meter is the first in Pops’ line of Bluetooth connected sensors to support disease management. 

“We already have people in all 50 states in the U.S. using the Pops self-care platform and Mina, our virtual health assistant to change their life,” said Lonny Stormo, CEO. “It is exciting to see this unique solution now deployed in Australia.” Pops is now being deployed through a pilot with Zurich Insurance Group in Australia.

The news comes after Pops was one of the winners at the 2020 Zurich Innovation Championships – a competition held annually by Zurich Insurance Group. The competition offers start-ups the opportunity to pitch innovative ideas aimed at solving some of society’s biggest challenges and providing protection from emerging risks.

Pops’ self-care platform is a new way to approach the high growth and cost of diabetes. Earlier this year, Pops published outcome data at the 2021 American Diabetes Association scientific sessions demonstrating 18-month sustained improved glucose management with the self-care platform.

If you ask a person with diabetes what is most important in their life, they will never say ‘diabetes’,” said Lonny Stormo, Pop’s CEO. “Our goal is to allow people to continue to live their life and manage their diabetes, and we are excited to bring this solution to more people.”