Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1697 – Que Dallara, EVP & President at Medtronic Diabetes
Date: December 2, 2025 | Guest: Que Dallara | Host: Scott Benner

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and insightful conversation between host Scott Benner and Que Dallara, Executive VP and President of Medtronic Diabetes—soon to be rebranded as MiniMed. The discussion dives into Que's unique background, the shifting identity and innovation pipeline of Medtronic/MiniMed, the challenges and priorities in diabetes technology, and obtainable strategies for living well with diabetes using cutting-edge insulin delivery systems. Dallara offers honest perspectives on Medtronic’s past missteps, its vision for hands-free diabetes management, and the focus on consumer-centric technology and choice.

Guest Introduction & Personal Journey

[01:41] – [04:47]

• Que Dallara's personal history:

  • Childhood escape from Vietnam as a refugee, arriving in Australia under difficult circumstances:

    “I was one of those boat people…five years old…our family was making this grand escape on really a rickety riverboat in the South China Sea…we got shipwrecked.” (Que, 01:41)

  • Grew up poor, raised younger siblings, developed deep empathy for those who struggle.
  • Professional background in software and technology (Honeywell) with a focus on automation and control systems, which parallels diabetes management.

• Pathway to Medtronic Diabetes:

  • Did not have a planned route to Medtronic or personal diabetes diagnosis but had many connections to people impacted.

  • “What diabetes is, is a controls problem…You’re sensing glucose and then you got to do something about that.” (Que, 02:44)

Medtronic’s Shift: Past Challenges and Refocusing the Brand

[06:00] – [11:58]

• Losing U.S. Leadership and Revitalization:

  • Medtronic lost its leadership in the U.S., received a regulatory warning letter, but has a legacy of “many firsts” in diabetes tech.

  • “The business lost its leadership position in the US and fell behind...but there’s a 41-year history in the business of many firsts.” (Que, 06:10)

  • Dallara’s background in consumer-focused innovation seen as an asset for rejuvenation.

• Return to the MiniMed Name:

  • MiniMed brand chosen to re-assert original mission and focus:

    “We need to have our own name…so it made perfect sense to go back to the original mission of MiniMed.” (Que, 10:01)

  • Focused exclusively on intensive insulin users—Type 1s and some Type 2s—not broad wellness.

• Team and Culture During Transition:

  • Leadership team is retained; most employees have personal diabetes connections.

  • “We have had no trouble attracting talent into the business because people are very motivated, energized by the mission.” (Que, 11:58)

  • Emphasis on being “leaner” and more agile post-separation from Medtronic:

    “No more turning the Titanic when you want to make a decision.” (Scott, 13:35)

Innovation Trajectory & The “Innovator’s Dilemma”

[13:39] – [18:18]

• Reasons for Past Stagnation:

  • Falling into “the innovator’s dilemma”—initial lead then losing focus and investment due to big company bureaucracy.

  • “You get to a position and what's very natural is you lose sight of why you exist and, you know, hubris sets in.” (Que, 15:34)

• Reclaiming Aid Leadership:

  • Medtronic claims to have “invented AID” (Automated Insulin Delivery) with the 670G system; now with 780G, they offer second-generation algorithms with corrective dosing every 5 minutes.

  • “It’s a very aggressive algorithm and it’s the lowest commercially available set point at 100 mg/dL.” (Que, 17:06)

• Core Vision for the Next Algorithm:

  • Aspirations for “freedom, peace of mind, and safety.”
  • Goal for above 70% time-in-range with minimal user effort:

    “Can we help people who live with diabetes have more freedom? …We want to solve all three.” (Que, 18:21)

Integrated Ecosystem and Interoperability

[19:14] – [25:47]

• Hardware & Algorithm Synergy:

  • Medtronic aims to replicate Apple’s tightly integrated product ecosystem for diabetes:

    “We want to curate a system that just works. You don’t have to think about, does it work together?” (Que, 21:49)

  • Partnership with Abbott for new Instinct sensor—designed exclusively for the MiniMed 780G (NOT interoperable with other pumps).

• Sensor and System Details:

  • New sensors: Simplera Sync (7-day, with option to calibrate for tight control) and Instinct by Abbott (15-day, similar experience to Libre).
  • Integration process is fast but technically challenging due to regulatory controls for devices that dose insulin directly.

• Challenges with Sensor Development:

  “CGM is hard to do…I can't even tell you how much we've invested to do this...But future iterations will not take as long.” (Que, 24:17)

  • Regulatory pathway is not as “plug and play” as some believe; safety is paramount.

Consumer Choice, Device Preferences & Market Approach

[28:07] – [33:58]

• Recognizing User Preferences:

  • Tube vs. patch vs. tubeless: broadening the portfolio to offer true choice.
  • Working on new patch pump (MiniMed Fit), next-gen tube pump (Flex), and MDI-focused smart pen (MiniMed Go/InPen).

  • “We believe in choice...That’s why we have the broadest portfolio.” (Que, 28:36)

• Improving Access and Outreach:

  • Many people with diabetes are still on MDI (multiple daily injections) often due to lack of education, practitioner familiarity, or perceived burden.

  • “A lot of it is just knowledge and education of what’s out there…It’s hundreds of decisions. We don’t want technology to be yet another thing you've got to do.” (Que, 32:39)

Technology Burden & Real User Impact

[33:59] – [38:07]

• Reducing Interaction, Increasing Automation:

  • Clinic and patient burden is a blocker to wider tech adoption. With 780G, all clinicians need to set is insulin-to-carb ratio—no complex adjustments.
  • Automation and choice are crucial, but so is lived experience:

    “That's why this was being very liberating because you don't have to be exact at all and feel bad about that.” (Que, 38:07)

• Iterative Product Development:

  • Medtronic includes real user feedback throughout product design cycles, aiming to solve for actual life problems, not just feature checklists.

Driving to a Hands-Free Future

[40:38] – [44:53]

• Ceiling for Algorithmic Improvements:

  • In real-world use, 780G gets ~80% time in range without intense user effort.
  • Next goal: “No buttons”—the system handles everything except refilling insulin.
  • Support for users who want tighter control via additional engagement, but default experience should be minimal work.

• AI and Algorithm Discussion:

  • Leveraging AI for development, but system functionality remains local (not cloud-dependent), for safety and reliability.

  • “Our algorithm is very good because we have had hundreds of millions of points of data…” (Que, 42:54)

Reaching the Majority: The Vision Ahead

[45:02] – [47:29]

• Technology As an Enabler:

  • The aim is for technology to “just work” so it appeals to people who currently feel overwhelmed or are being managed by non-specialists.

  • “We want to make it easy because we think that people will be healthier if they are on AID.” (Que, 45:06)

• Impact for All:

  • Recognizing the emotional challenge and human side of diabetes, especially for those “not getting the return on the effort.”

  • “We think 780…for very little effort, you’re going to get great outcomes and feel better.” (Que, 46:55)

What’s Next: New Devices & Five-Year Outlook

[47:31] – [49:35]

• Upcoming Releases & Timeline:

  • New 780G, Simplera, and Instinct CGMs available now.
  • Durable pump, patch pump, and third-gen algorithm are near submission; more information will be available in a month due to current Medtronic separation procedures.

• Vision for the Future:

  “I hope people will be saying that MiniMed just works, that it just fits into their lifestyle. They don't have to do anything, they just live their life…we've truly entered a hands-free era.” (Que, 48:15)

• Commitment to Return:

  • Que promises to revisit the podcast in five years to report on progress—emphasizing transparency and accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Software Parallels:

  “What diabetes is, is a controls problem…you're sensing glucose and then you've got to do something about that.” (Que, 02:44)

• Re: Regaining Leadership:

  “We absolutely want to earn it. Actually, the first thing that I did when I joined Medtronic was I met with employees that have diabetes.” (Que, 08:17)

• Choice and Personalization:

  “We believe in choice… it's not going to be one thing for everyone.” (Que, 28:36)

• Algorithm & Burden:

  “Our timing range is the highest amongst all the AID systems...Then...therapy burden...and...lifestyle.” (Que, 19:24)

• Hands-Free Ideal:

  “The holy grail is just not having to do anything other than put insulin in.” (Que, 44:53)

• Human Angle:

  “Look, people try and life gets in the way...It's not easy.” (Que, 46:55)

• Future Promise:

  “I'll come back in five years time on your podcast and we'll have a discussion about it…a hands-free era with MiniMed.” (Que, 49:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Que’s Personal Story & Arrival in Australia: [01:41]
• Why Medtronic Chose Que: [04:47]
• Medtronic’s Lost Leadership & New Direction: [06:10]
• MiniMed Name & Brand Focus: [10:01]
• Consumer Innovation & Team Composition: [11:58]
• What Happened at Medtronic, Innovator’s Dilemma: [15:34]
• MiniMed 780G & Algorithm Features: [17:06]
• Automated Insulin Delivery System Strengths: [19:24]
• CGM Sensor Integration & System Design: [23:36]
• Portfolio Approach – Tubed, Patch, InPen: [28:36]
• Importance of Simplicity and Minimal User Burden: [35:06]
• Product Feedback & Feature Prioritization Process: [38:07]
• Time-in-Range Outcomes, Algorithm Ceiling: [41:09]
• Future Vision – Hands-Free, Broader Reach: [45:02]
• Five-Year Plan & Guest Commitment: [48:15]

Tone & Style

• Conversation is honest, consumer-focused, and combines deep technical detail with practical user empathy.
• Both host and guest frequently reference real world scenarios, emphasizing lived experiences over corporate jargon.
• Mix of humor (bearded dragons!) and motivational optimism for the future of diabetes management.

For more:

• Visit JuiceboxPodcast.com
• Learn about the MiniMed 780G system and options at medtronicdiabetes.com/juicebox