An Australian study led by University of Melbourne scientists has identified a previously unknown role for the hepatokine, sparc-related modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC1), in suppressing hepatic glucose production. The investigators reported their results in the Sept. 2, 2020, edition of Science Translational Medicine.

HONG KONG – Hua Medicine Ltd. has signed a commercialization and partnership deal with Bayer AG for a new diabetes treatment in China. Hua’s dorzagliatin, a first-in-class dual-acting glucokinase activator, is designed to control the progressive degenerative nature of diabetes by restoring glucose homeostasis in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Medtronic plc reported first-quarter worldwide revenue of just over $6.5 billion, a decrease of 13% as reported. As Cowen’s Josh Jennings wrote, the company’s results were better than expected, with an organic revenue growth decline of 17% vs. the Street’s prediction of a 25% decrease.

Informed Data Systems Inc. (IDS), doing business as One Drop, scooped up $98.7 million in new financing and commitments to accelerate the expansion of its digital health platform beyond diabetes. The company raised $34.7 million in a series C round led by Bayer AG, of Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer also committed $64 million in development fees and commercial milestones related to a 2019 licensing agreement to leverage the One Drop solution across multiple therapeutic areas.

Two-and-a-half years after regenerative medicine company Mimedx Group Inc. came under federal investigation for improper sales and marketing practices and nearly two years since it was delisted by Nasdaq, the company is back on track financially and pursuing an active pipeline of new products. Marietta, Ga.-based Mimedx recently reported second quarter sales of $61.7 million, a 7.2% decline from the same period the prior year. The second quarter 10Q Form – one of seven SEC financial statements submitted in the last five months as the company worked to regain compliance – brings Mimedx up to date, paving the way for it to relist its stock.

PERTH, Australia – With 1 in 3 patients with type 2 diabetes likely to develop diabetic kidney disease (DKD), Perth-based Proteomics International Laboratories Ltd. has developed a blood-based diagnostic test that can predict the onset of DKD, enabling patients to get treatment sooner to prevent the onset of the disease.

Tech-enabled diabetes and chronic conditions management company Cecelia Health has secured $13 million in a series B financing led by Rittenhouse Ventures and Endo Investors. Other participants in the round included Boston Millennia Partners, SustainVC and G100 Capital. The funds will be used to speed and further scale adoption of the company’s coaching and telemedicine tools and to build out digital health capabilities.

Senseonics Holdings Inc. is one of the latest med-tech companies to release its quarterly numbers, revealing sales of $261,000, a decline of -94.3% year-over-year. That figure may have fallen below SVB Leerink Research’s estimate of $1.6 million and consensus at $1.4 million “given the company's well-telegraphed ongoing strategic review,” wrote Danielle Antalffy in a note. Still, Senseonics had some good news, which Antalffy heralded as “very positive.” That came in the form of a financial and strategic partnership with Ascensia Diabetes Care that revolves around a global commercialization and distribution agreement and a concurrent financing deal.