Podcast Summary: Dexcom at EASD 2025 — Incoming CEO Jake Leach on Recalls, New Features, and User Experience

Podcast: Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Host: Stacey Simms
Guest: Jake Leach, Incoming CEO, Dexcom
Date: September 23, 2025
Episode Theme:
A candid, wide-ranging interview with Jake Leach on upcoming Dexcom innovations, product safety, recent recalls, new features, and Dexcom’s evolving role in the diabetes tech landscape. Stacey brings listener questions and community feedback directly to Leach, covering both corporate direction and hands-on user experience.

Episode Overview

Stacey Simms sits down with Jake Leach at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conference, just months before he steps into Dexcom’s CEO role. The discussion covers Dextercom’s global vision, innovative features (notably Smart Basal and bolus calculators), recalled software, direct-to-consumer advertising, user frustrations with G7 sensors, and ongoing improvements to the Follow app. The session weaves together technical explanation, real-world concerns from listeners, and authentic dialogue about the future of diabetes management technology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jake Leach as Incoming CEO: Vision and Continuity

• Staying the Course With a Customer Focus
  • Jake reflects on working with outgoing CEO Kevin Sayre and stresses Dexcom’s ongoing customer-first, innovation-driven culture.
  • Quote: “Things like focusing on customers, patient first mentality, innovation driven—so there’s a lot will remain the same.” — Jake Leach, [05:27]
• Global Growth and Type 2 Expansion
  • Leach expresses excitement about reaching broader populations: “There’s just so much opportunity for CGM to make a difference around the globe… [including] people with type 2 that are just starting to get coverage for CGM.” — Jake Leach, [05:52]

2. EASD Conference Announcements

• Smart Basal Algorithm
  • Dexcom introduces an algorithm for optimizing basal insulin doses for type 2 diabetes users, aimed at reducing time and complexity in titrating long-acting insulin.
  • “It uses CGM data and input from the healthcare provider to really optimize a basal insulin dose…most of the subjects got to their optimum basal dose within 30 days.” — Jake Leach, [06:48]
• Bolus Calculator for Multiple Daily Injections (MDI)
  • Built into the G7 app, this tool calculates bolus doses, extending tech often seen in pumps to a wider group of users.
  • Also part of Dexcom’s move to bridge meal logging, detection, and insulin dosing into a cohesive ecosystem. [09:25], [09:45]

3. Research and User Populations

• Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy Studies
  • Leach highlights EASD research on exercise timing and gestational outcomes, underlining Dexcom’s focus on pregnancy-specific CGM benefits.
  • "Using CGM during pregnancy and just ensuring that glucose is under control so that you have a proper weight... definitely something that we’re focused on expanding." — Jake Leach, [10:41]

4. Software Recall and Product Safety

• G7 App Recall Explained
  • A recent software bug could prevent users from receiving crucial alerts if the sensor fails; Dexcom forced an upgrade as a precaution.
  • “If a sensor failed in a certain way, that older version of the G7 app could just move into a sensor failed and it wouldn’t tell the user that the sensor failed…so that could be a dangerous situation.” — Jake Leach, [11:34]
  • All users were required to upgrade, and no one should still be affected. [13:19-13:32]

5. Direct-to-Consumer Advertising & FDA Scrutiny

• FDA Letters and Advertising
  • Leach clarifies Dexcom's stance after recent FDA letters on direct-to-consumer drug promotion—highlighting that medical devices have different profiles than drugs and that increasing CGM awareness is crucial.
  • “The only real side effect is better glucose.” — Jake Leach, [14:20]
  • Dexcom’s direct-to-consumer approach is not seen as at risk from these new regulatory communications.

6. Follow App + Notifications (Listener Questions)

• Ongoing Improvements and Parental Needs
  • New features have been (and will soon be) added, such as alert profiles for easier management.
  • “Profiles is definitely one on the short list of things to do because we know…that can add convenience for folks.” — Jake Leach, [15:36]
• Push Notifications for Outages
  • Major outages now prompt system-wide push notifications, with further improvements to “in-the-moment” notifications planned.
  • “If we have a large outage…we can send everybody that notification.” — Jake Leach, [16:19]

7. G7 Sensor Issues and User Experience

• Community Feedback: Replacement Frustrations
  • Jake acknowledges user dissatisfaction, especially with reporting and replacing faulty sensors.
  • “It should be very simple for someone to get their replacement. And so it’s a priority for me and for the team here…” — Jake Leach, [19:02]
  • New fraud prevention steps may have added friction, and Dexcom is working on streamlining the process in-app.
• Technical Details: ‘Magnet Trick’ to Start Sensors
  • Leach explains why a magnet can sometimes “restart” a failed G7 sensor—due to borderline battery voltage checks.
  • “We didn’t actually even know about it...when they swipe it again, it tended to work.” — Jake Leach, [21:32]
• 15-day Sensor Launch
  • 15-day G7 sensors are close to broad release after initial rollout to Dexcom’s “community of warriors.”
  • Dexcom is building up inventory to prevent supply problems [22:08].
  • Replacement and insurance processes are being calibrated to ensure no one runs short due to the reduced number of sensors per year.

8. Accessibility and Design for All Ages

• Considerations for Older Users
  • Asked about elderly patients with hand strength issues, Leach stresses that applicator and packaging force requirements are part of Dexcom’s design specs. [24:47]

9. Ongoing G6 vs. G7 Debate

• Is G7 Really Less Reliable?
  • According to Leach: “Overall, there’s not…a difference” with regard to accuracy and reliability. Users may attribute isolated issues to the new model, and connectivity to pumps saw improvements after initial launch.
  • “There are some differences…in the connectivity to closed loop systems…the one I hear the most in terms of differences.” — Jake Leach, [25:25]

10. Future Directions & First Moves as CEO

• Meetings and Listening
  • Leach’s first act as CEO will focus on engaging teams worldwide and learning from diverse markets.
  • “Healthcare is different in many different countries. And it’s really important for us to have…knowledge about how things actually happen on the ground.” — Jake Leach, [26:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “With CGM, the only real side effect is better glucose...But anyway, the—we…do a lot of direct to consumer advertising because basically we’ve often tried to make sure that the awareness around CGM is there.” — Jake Leach, [14:20]
• “If a sensor fails, that’s on us. It should be very simple for someone to get their replacement.” — Jake Leach, [19:02]
• “I was very impressed with the community who figured that out, how to do that [magnet trick].” — Jake Leach, [21:32]
• “I get a lot of people said, I don’t want to change. I’m going to keep the G6 as long as I possibly can.” — Stacey Simms, [25:02]
• “Congratulations again, and thanks for coming on the show as often as you do. I really appreciate Dexcom’s responsiveness and openness, even when…the questions aren’t exactly what I’m sure you’d like to hear, but they are honest and I appreciate your response.” — Stacey Simms, [26:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:44] — Jake Leach joins from EASD, Vienna
• [05:27] — Vision as incoming CEO
• [06:48] — Launching “Smart Basal” algorithm for type 2 diabetes
• [09:25] — Bolus calculator integration, smart pens
• [10:41] — Studies on pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and CGM
• [11:34] — G7 software recall explained
• [13:19] — Verifying safe software versions post-recall
• [14:20] — FDA warning letters and Dexcom’s stance on advertising
• [15:36] — Updates and road map for the Follow app
• [16:19] — Push notifications for outages and user info
• [19:02] — User complaints about G7 sensor failures and replacements process
• [20:58] — Technical deep-dive: starting sensors, “magnet trick”
• [22:08] — Launch plans for the 15-day sensor and insurance questions
• [24:47] — Designing for elderly/low hand strength users
• [25:25] — G6 vs. G7: reliability, connectivity, and perception
• [26:33] — Jake’s first moves as CEO

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is transparent, nuanced, and addresses user frustrations head-on. Both technical and emotional elements are covered, reflecting the real-world stakes of diabetes technology for families and individuals. Leach’s technical depth is met with Simms’ direct, community-rooted questioning. The result is practical, honest, and deeply informed—ideal for listeners living with T1D or supporting someone who does.

For further resources and follow-up, Stacey’s community group (Diabetes Connections: The Group) and the show’s homepage at diabetes-connections.com are highlighted as ongoing hubs for information and listener engagement.