AGP DTx Summit Highlights Digital Therapy's Role in Diabetes Management with HbA1c Reduction
In May 2026, Shenzhen hosted the fourth AGP DTx Summit, a significant event dedicated to exploring advancements in diabetes care, themed "Beyond Glucose." This summit welcomed a diverse group of international experts, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and patient representatives, all united to discuss how continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data can evolve from merely tracking blood sugar levels to generating real clinical value.
The overarching message from this summit was clear: CGM should be viewed not just as a monitoring tool, but as a gateway to transforming glucose data into actionable clinical insights that can guide treatment decisions and promote meaningful behavior changes.
Professor Andrej Janež from the International Consortium for Research and Development highlighted the progress made in the last two years, noting that the research fund has supported 20 investigator-initiated studies spanning 14 countries and regions. These studies focus on CGM-related research and its intersection with cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic syndrome (CKM), including accuracy in specific populations, dietary habits, glycemic responses, AI platforms, and clinical monitoring applications.
Professor Sofianos Andrikopoulos further emphasized the clinical role of digital therapy, pointing out that digital therapeutics (DTx) can effectively integrate software-driven interventions, lifestyle counseling, medication support, and complex care models. He presented evidence suggesting that DTx is associated with an average HbA1c reduction of 0.54 percentage points, underscoring its efficacy in structured diabetes interventions.
In the realm of clinical phenotyping, Professor Wei Qiang illustrated how integrating standard hospitalization data with CGM and AGP information could aid in identifying metabolic phenotypes and treatment responses for hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes, thus enabling more targeted and individualized care.
Professor Shannon Lin raised a critical point, noting the potential limitations of CGM alone. She advocated for data-driven management strategies, emphasizing strong interest from both clinicians and patients in AI-integrated CGM systems for predictive analytics and personalized recommendations. Additionally, Professor Xiao Luo shared findings from her research indicating that when CGM technology is combined with CKM, it can effectively map glucose and ketone changes during fasting and eating cycles, enhancing the effectiveness of metabolic interventions.
Patient advocate Tom Veselý, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 40 years, highlighted the capability of CGM to provide visibility into daily glucose fluctuations. However, he emphasized that the ultimate goal is not merely improved readings but fostering a more satisfying and healthier life for patients.
Together, these discussions signal a transformative shift in diabetes care, moving from mere monitoring to impactful changes that enhance patient quality of life. The healthcare community is poised to leverage cutting-edge technologies and collaborative efforts to redefine diabetes management for future generations.