A Brand New Insulin Meets a Small Insulin Pump

On September 25, 2025, Sequel Med Tech and Arecor Therapeutics announced a new partnership. Together, they plan to combine Sequel’s twiist™ automated insulin delivery (AID) system, powered by Tidepool, with Arecor’s ultra-concentrated, rapid-acting insulin, AT278.

This collaboration could greatly improve care for people with diabetes (PWD) who need higher insulin doses but prefer smaller, longer-wear insulin pumps. It has potentially unique benefits for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes community members.

Why AT278 and twiist™ Matter

AT278 is an ultra-concentrated, ultra-rapid-acting insulin that is still in clinical development. Once approved, it will be the only insulin of its kind on the market.

The twiist™ AID system holds 300 units of insulin for up to 72 hours of wear. Its design focuses on flexibility, discretion and convenience, helping users manage diabetes more easily.

Promising Results from Early Trials

Both companies are investing up to $1.3 million to move the AT278 pump program into Phase 2 trials by the second half of 2026.

In Phase 1 trials, AT278 showed positive results in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Among participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who were overweight or obese, the insulin performed well and met the high-dose needs that are common in this group. The study also showed that the formulation works well in next-generation insulin pumps, which are a key step toward more efficient diabetes care.

As insulin needs rise globally alongside an increase in diabetes diagnoses, particularly for those with T2D, these findings are significant.

A Growing Need Among People with Type 2 Diabetes

Rates of T2D are increasing quickly. UGA Today reports that the prevalence of T2D rose by 20% from 2012 to 2022, and CDC data shows that 12.3% of U.S. adults diagnosed with diabetes begin using insulin within a year of diagnosis.

Millions of people with T2D use insulin, but many still lack easy access to modern insulin pump systems and rapid-acting insulin options. By combining AT278 and twiist™, Sequel and Arecor hope to reach these underserved people with T2D and fill treatment gaps. Fast-acting insulin paired with AID systems can also reduce daily management stress for PWD.

Voices Behind the Partnership

Sarah Howell, CEO of Arecor Therapeutics, called the partnership a major step forward:

“We are proud to be bringing devices and therapeutics together in a collaboration, which addresses a real unmet need in a high-value market, helping PWD better manage their blood glucose whilst significantly lowering the daily burden of disease management.”

Alan Lotvin, CEO of Sequel Med Tech, echoed her optimism: “We take a comprehensive approach to diabetes management, exploring every opportunity to improve systems that make life easier for people living with diabetes.”

He explained that Sequel’s iiSure™ technology makes twiist™ the first system to directly measure insulin volume with each microdose and verify accuracy through four checkpoints. That precision is especially important when using highly concentrated insulin like AT278.

“Together, this combination has the potential to expand the benefits of AID to all individuals on intensive insulin therapy and provide additional options for PWD, helping them achieve tighter glucose control and improved outcomes,” Lotvin said.

What This Could Mean for the Future of Diabetes Care

This partnership marks a new era in diabetes innovation. By merging advanced medicine and smart technology, Sequel and Arecor aim to broaden access to quality diabetes care and simplify daily management.

Improvements like these can help reduce barriers related to:

• Cost: More efficient technology may lower long-term expenses.
• Location: Portable systems make treatment easier anywhere.
• Convenience: Fewer injections and more automation.
• Personal needs: Custom settings that adapt to individual lifestyles.

Advances such as AT278 and twiist™ reflect a shared goal across the diabetes community: creating tools that help people feel more independent, confident, and in control.

This collaboration is one more sign that progress in diabetes care isn’t slowing down—it’s gaining momentum.

Additional Reference: “Arecor Therapeutics: AT278 ultra-concentrated insulin superior to benchmarks,” Trinity Delta, May 20, 2024