In a landmark development for digital healthcare, Kakao Healthcare has introduced its inaugural service, “PASTA,” an advanced AI-powered mobile application for blood glucose management. Launched in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, at the Kakao Pangyo Agit, this innovative app significantly stride in the company’s mission to transform diabetes care. PASTA, an acronym for Personalized, Accessible, Supportive, Tech-enabled, Affordable, integrates seamlessly with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, enhancing patient care and aiming to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of diabetes.
A new era in diabetes management
PASTA is designed to offer a user-friendly experience, allowing patients to monitor their blood glucose levels in real time through a direct connection with CGM devices like i-Sens’s CareSens Air and Dexcom’s G7, without the need for separate registration. By leveraging their Kakao accounts, users gain access to a comprehensive suite of features aimed at facilitating better management of diabetes. The application’s real-time data analysis, combined with inputs for lifestyle habits such as diet and exercise, enables users to understand the impact of their choices on their blood glucose levels, empowering them to make informed decisions.
CEO Hwang Hee underscored the potential of PASTA to reduce reliance on medication by promoting adjustments in dietary and exercise habits. The app not only offers a novel approach to diabetes treatment but also aims to decrease the annual treatment costs, which currently stand at approximately 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) for the six million diabetes patients in Korea. Through detailed reports that analyze glucose variability, glucose management indicators (GMI), and average glucose levels, among other metrics, PASTA sets itself apart from existing lifestyle management apps. Additionally, the application fosters a supportive community through its boards, where users can share experiences and offer mutual support.
Future Directions and Global Ambitions
Kakao Healthcare plans to expand PASTA’s functionalities by integrating it with insulin pens through a Software Development Kit (SDK) approach, starting with the “Mallya Smart Cap” by Novo Nordisk and Biocorp. This world-first initiative, expected to be completed by the second quarter of the year, aims to make insulin pens connected devices, further enhancing the app’s capabilities in managing diabetes and potentially other chronic conditions associated with the disease.
Hwang also shared his vision for taking PASTA to the global stage, with plans to enter markets in Japan, the U.S., and the Middle East through partnerships with global entities. This expansion is part of Kakao Healthcare’s broader strategy to address chronic diseases associated with diabetes.
Addressing the integration with artificial pancreas systems
In response to inquiries about the potential future integration of PASTA with artificial pancreas systems (APS), Hwang acknowledged the technical feasibility but highlighted concerns around regulation, patient safety, and the appropriateness of a software company managing insulin adjustments. He emphasized the importance of medical supervision in the operation of APS, suggesting that Kakao Healthcare could support APS within a broader ecosystem managed by healthcare entities, thereby facilitating a collaborative approach to a full-cycle diabetes management solution without directly handling insulin pump management.
Kakao Healthcare’s PASTA represents a significant advancement in digital healthcare, offering a comprehensive, tech-enabled solution for diabetes management. With its innovative features and future integrations, PASTA aims to transform the care landscape for diabetes patients, reducing costs and improving quality of life. As the company sets its sights on global expansion and further technological enhancements, PASTA is poised to become a cornerstone in managing diabetes and related chronic conditions.
