Podcast Summary: "Do We Need an At-Home A1C Test in the Age of CGM? Orange Biomed Says Yes"

Podcast: Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Host: Stacey Simms
Date: December 26, 2025
Guests: Yesel Park (CEO, Orange Biomed), Dr. Eun Yong Koh (Co-President/Co-Founder), Janice Drew Bennett (Senior Advisor)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode investigates whether there’s still a need for at-home A1C testing, given the rise of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), by interviewing the founders and advisors of Orange Biomed. The company is developing a portable A1C test requiring only a single drop of blood, aiming for more frequent, accessible, and user-friendly monitoring—especially valuable for people with limited access to clinical care. The discussion centers on the importance of A1C, details of the Orange Biomed device, accuracy, comparison with CGM, and implications for diabetes management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background on Orange Biomed and ADA Conference

• Orange Biomed was launched in South Korea (2021) with U.S. headquarters in Providence, RI, by two Duke alumni.
• The team attended the ADA Scientific Sessions Conference to present at the brand-new Innovation Hub and learn from global diabetes innovation.
  • [03:17] Yesel Park: “It was 13 hours from Korea. But I’m so excited because this event is really one of the times ... our third time attending ADA.”

2. Why At-Home A1C Testing Still Matters

• Accessibility Challenge: Many patients struggle to get to clinics for recommended quarterly A1C tests, especially those in rural areas or with mobility issues.
  • [06:10] Dr. Koh: “So, if you measure A1C four times a year, people’s A1C level is decreased like 3.8%. But if you measure A1C just once per year, A1C increases 1.5%.”
• Clinical Evidence: Frequent A1C monitoring correlates with better glycemic outcomes and reduced complications.
  • [07:51] Dr. Koh: “A1C lowering by just 1% can reduce overall mortality by 15% and microvascular complications by 37%.” (Citing UKPDS study)

3. Challenges With Current At-Home A1C Tests

• Existing kits are messy, require a lot of blood, and can be imprecise if squeezing for extra sample dilutes with interstitial fluid.
  • [10:17] Janice Drew Bennett: “...requires many, many drops of blood ... even though it was pandemic ... I wanted to make it simpler and easier ... If you squeeze to get enough sample volume, sweats can also mix ... and that actually affects the accuracy.”

4. How the Orange Biomed Device Works

• User Experience:
  • Palm-sized device (comparable to a phone), activated by sliding a switch.
  • Single-use cartridge: Collect a single drop of blood, dilute in a tube, and transfer to the cartridge.
  • Results in 5 minutes.
  • Process designed to be straightforward, minimizing blood volume and user error.
    • [11:49] Dr. Koh: “Our device has no switch, but there is only a slider... you just collect your blood and dilute it in the collecting tube and drop into the cartridge... similar to the COVID test kit.”
    • [12:52] Dr. Koh: “Our device...analyzes the red blood cell one by one...we just need one drop of blood...if it’s big or small, it’s fine for us.”

5. Who Would Benefit?

• Broad appeal: anyone with prediabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes—especially those with mobility or access issues.
  • [14:30] Janice Drew Bennett: “…people who have limited access to primary care or lab testings…patients who have experienced amputation…can’t go to the hospital by themselves…this device can give more value to them.”

6. Accuracy and Trials

• Device has shown comparable performance in feasibility studies to other point of care tests.
• Clinical trials with factory-produced cartridges planned for the near future.
  • [15:40] Dr. Koh: “…feasibility studies showed that our device is quite similar with other point of care devices…this year we are going to be manufacturing the factories so it might be more precise.”

7. A1C vs. CGM: Are Both Still Needed?

• A1C and CGM address different facets of diabetes care:
  • CGM = time in range, hypo/hyperglycemia alerts.
  • A1C = long-term complication risk assessment.
  • A1C remains critical for holistic management & for those not on insulin.
    • [16:46] Dr. Koh: “A1C and CGM target different things…A1C targets diabetes complications. So if you want to assess your management, you might measure A1C. A1C for everyone, CGM for those who use insulin.”

8. Looking Ahead: Vision for the Technology

• Aspiration for widespread home use among all people with diabetes or prediabetes.
• Commitment to patient empowerment and collaboration across diabetes innovation sectors.
  • [18:28] Janice Drew Bennett: “We are all together wanting to fight against diabetes in their own way or with their own expertise… we can feel this—doing something valuable to patients and our community.”

9. Upcoming Orange Biomed Event: #MapYourHealth Campaign

• Announcing the first local “Map Your Health” event in Chicago (August 16, 10am-3pm, Humboldt Park Health Wellness Center).
• Hybrid agenda: screenings, yoga, “ask the endocrinologist,” healthy food—all to encourage people to monitor A1C and adapt for prevention.
  • [20:38] Janice Drew Bennett: “…monitor your A1C, monitor your health, adapt treatment, prevent chronic disease… Hashtag map your health, tell your health story, and let’s get everyone healthier.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:05] Dr. Koh: “We are trying to solve a simple but serious problem about A1C accessibility… We are developing an at-home device to measure A1C.”
• [14:22] Dr. Koh (on device speed): “It takes like five minutes.”
• [16:46] Dr. Koh: “A1C for everyone and the CGM is for the people who treated the insulin. That’s the ADA guide, right?”
• [18:28] Janice Drew Bennett: “We are all together want to fight against diabetes in their own way or with their own expertise.”
• [20:38] Janice Drew Bennett: “Map your health, tell your health story, and let’s get everyone healthier.”

Timeline of Important Segments (Timestamps MM:SS)

• 03:17 – Yesel Park on traveling from Korea and importance of ADA
• 04:16 – Orange Biomed’s goals and ADA Innovation Hub
• 05:05 – Dr. Koh on importance of A1C accessibility
• 06:10-07:51 – Research linking frequent A1C testing to reduced complications
• 09:06-11:43 – Janice Drew Bennett on user challenges with current at-home A1C tests
• 11:49-14:20 – How the Orange Biomed device works: mechanics, blood volume, accuracy
• 14:30 – Device intended for broad audiences, including the underserved
• 15:32 – Accuracy and trials: real-world and clinical plans
• 16:30-18:11 – Comparison: A1C vs. CGM’s roles in diabetes management
• 18:28 – Orange Biomed’s aspiration and value in the diabetes community
• 20:29 – Announcement of the “Map Your Health” Chicago event and campaign

Conclusion

In this episode, Stacey Simms facilitates a deep dive into the relevance and future of at-home A1C testing, highlighting Orange Biomed's innovations, the ongoing importance of A1C in diabetes management, and the company's patient-centric vision. The team underscores that, even in an era of advanced CGMs, A1C retains its central place in monitoring and reducing long-term complications for all people with diabetes.

For more:
Find additional resources, sign up for updates from Orange Biomed, and check the show notes for the full transcript and event information.