Podcast Summary: Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

Episode: Eversense 365: Pump Integration and Real-Life Use For the One-Year CGM
Host: Stacey Simms
Guests: Paris Hicks (Person with T1D; Eversense + Twist pump user), Brian Hanson (Chief Commercial Officer, Senseonics)
Date: April 14, 2026

Overview

This episode provides a comprehensive update on the Eversense 365 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, especially focusing on its new integration with insulin pumps—specifically the Twist pump—and the real-life experience of users like Paris Hicks. Stacey Simms interviews Senseonics’ Brian Hanson and Paris to discuss the company’s transition away from its former distributor, the technical and practical experience of Eversense in daily diabetes management, and the future innovations in the implantable CGM space. The episode is highly valuable for both people with T1D and T2D, caregivers, and healthcare professionals interested in diabetes technology evolution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Senseonics’ Independence and Business Updates

• Transition from Distribution Partner ([08:52]):
  • Eversense is now distributed directly by Senseonics in the US and will complete transition in Europe by May.
  • All teams and support are now in-house, improving company focus and voice.
  • No major changes anticipated for end users, but increased organizational cohesion and support behind the scenes.
  • Major milestones achieved: doubled user base in a year; CE mark for 365 in Europe; upcoming launches (Gemini and Freedom).

"We have a full team here in the US... Everything has gone really well as planned. We sit here today with 365 in the market for over a year with some great results. We've doubled our user base in that time."
— Brian Hanson [09:02]

2. Eversense 365 & Twist Pump Integration

• Launch & User Uptake ([11:02]):
  • Launched with Twist pump in early 2026; hundreds paired within weeks.
  • Major appeal: year-long CGM linked with a pump, eliminating frequent sensor changes.
  • Early data: 77% time-in-range, <3% time in hypoglycemia for first 120 users.
• Connectivity ([12:57]):
  • Transmitter acts as antenna; good connectivity even if pump and CGM are on different sides of the body.
  • Users report virtually no connectivity issues.

"Some of the differences here is you've got the first year long sensor connected to a pump... you don't have the startup times, the warmup times every 10 or 14 or 15 days... so you get some time savings there and more time connected to the pump."
— Brian Hanson [11:29]

"From personal experience, I have had zero connectivity issues wherever I wear my CGM and my sensor. So it's been great."
— Paris Hicks [13:52]

3. Real-Life User Experience: Paris Hicks

• Insertion & Daily Life ([14:00], [15:06]):
  • Sensor is not noticeable under the skin.
  • Removal/reinsert procedure is quick (~5 minutes).
  • Transmitter can be removed any time (e.g., shower, sports) and reattached, unlike traditional CGMs.
  • Upper arm currently the only approved site.
• Routine & Calibration ([19:49], [20:29], [21:23]):
  • Calibration only required weekly after 2-week initialization.
  • Highly convenient; significant reduction in “diabetes burden”.

"The convenience factor...Just only having to have that sensor inserted once a year—it just gives me so much more time and freedom back into my life."
— Paris Hicks [19:49]

• Physical Activity ([29:36], [30:23]):
  • As a former gymnast and current CrossFit enthusiast/runner, the ability to remove/reattach the transmitter is a huge advantage; reduces device loss during strenuous activity.
  • Tape is flexible and reusable, allowing easy management during exercise.

"Those devices not having to be on would really just make a huge difference in an athlete's life who's dealing with type 1 diabetes."
— Paris Hicks [29:54]

4. Eversense Tape and Adhesives

• Eversense uses a mild, silicone-based adhesive that is designed for daily replacement but can be reused for several days if needed ([18:42]).
• Shipment includes 390 pieces for a year.

5. Advanced Alert Features and Accessibility

• Vibratory Alerts ([37:43]):
  • Transmitter provides vibratory alerts with different patterns for highs, lows, and out-of-range.
  • Useful for visually impaired users or when phone/watch isn’t nearby.
  • Highly valued by users; future full-under-skin version may require alternative solutions to preserve this feature.

"I can tell whether my blood sugar is going high or going low based off the type of vibration that it gives me. You really just learn which vibration is which, and that just lets you know, like, hey, I need to go check my phone..."
— Paris Hicks [38:21]

6. Future Products: Gemini and Freedom

• Gemini ([24:38]):
  • Integrates the battery within the sensor, allowing the device to store readings for 8 hours without the transmitter.
  • Can be scanned for data (ideal for many T2Ds) but can also provide continuous data with the transmitter.
  • Expected in clinical settings by 2027.
• Freedom ([25:37]):
  • A fully subdermal sensor with battery and Bluetooth; no need for external transmitter.
  • Transmits continuous glucose data for up to a year.
  • Targeted release: 2028.

"That's what everybody wants: nothing on body... A year-long sensor underneath the skin, nothing on body. Let me have that."
— Brian Hanson [28:44]

7. Data, Studies & Retention

• Early real-world data on the integrated system is promising ([23:08]).
• More robust studies planned for major conferences in 2026.
• High persistency and “wear time” reported, even among adolescents and T2Ds (90–95%), “pot committed” due to implanted nature ([36:13]).

8. Market Success Among Type 2s

• 80% of Eversense users are now people with Type 2, especially those on intensive insulin regimens ([33:03]).
• Convenience and yearly implant are major appeals, particularly among Medicare demographic.
• Many T2D users have previously used “traditional” CGMs.

9. Customer Service Improvements

• Business Scaling ([41:14]):
  • In 2025, Senseonics expanded its customer service and tech support staff, anticipating continued improvement as company grows.
  • Internal restructuring to make customer assistance more responsive.

10. Diabetes Community, Advocacy & Inspiration

• Community Importance ([43:07], [44:15]):
  • Paris credits social media diabetes community and specific advocates (e.g., Chris Rudin, Ariana Frayer) for support.
  • Brian highlights Children with Diabetes (Friends for Life), JDRF, Helmsley, and Tidepool as organizations making meaningful impact in the field.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Eversense 365’s user experience:
  "My whole procedure personally takes five minutes for removal and reinsertion. So it's such a quick procedure. Getting to the doctor's office and sitting there and waiting takes twice as long as it does for the whole procedure."
  — Paris Hicks [15:15]

• On vibratory alerts for accessibility:
  "If you can't hear the beeping or you can't read something on a phone, the buzzing or the vibratory alerts that are happening via the transmitter are something that someone like that might enjoy with our product."
  — Brian Hanson [37:43]

• Looking ahead:
  "Let's get rid of the transmitter and let's go ahead and take the Bluetooth ... and let's put it into the sensor itself... That is what everybody quite frankly wants is nothing on body."
  — Brian Hanson [28:44]

Important Timestamps

• 06:24 — Interview with guests begins
• 08:52 — Senseonics business update and end of Asencia partnership
• 11:02 — Twist pump integration details and early user data
• 13:14 — Connectivity and real-world user feedback
• 14:00–19:49 — Paris shares her daily experience, insertion, and user advantages
• 20:29–21:23 — Weekly calibration; what happens if it’s missed
• 24:38–28:44 — Product pipeline: Gemini and Freedom explained
• 29:36 — Sports, activity, and device management for T1D athletes
• 33:03–36:13 — Eversense’s adoption in Type 2 population and compliance rates
• 37:43–40:08 — On-body vibratory alerts for accessibility
• 41:14 — Customer service improvements and business scaling
• 43:07–46:09 — Personal and organizational shout-outs in the diabetes community

Tone

• Warm, encouraging, and accessible, with a focus on both technical and practical aspects of diabetes tech.
• Guest perspectives are candid—honest about challenges and clear about the advantages of the new system.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a deep dive into the evolving world of implantable CGM technology, with firsthand experience from an active user and insights from a top executive at Senseonics. Whether you’re considering long-wear CGMs, interested in integrated pump systems, or wondering how technology fits for highly active people with diabetes, the episode delivers practical answers and a look at the innovations coming soon.

For more resources and previous episodes, visit diabetes-connections.com.