Insulin Delivery Patches: Comparing the CeQur Simplicity and the V-Go

What is an Insulin Delivery Patch?

Basically, the current insulin delivery patches are on-body insulin delivery devices without the technology included in many other types of options. They attach to the skin and deliver insulin subcutaneously through either a needle or a cannula inserted with a removable needle. Insulin patches have fewer options than insulin pumps: they can’t be connected to CGM’s or glucometers, don’t have a logging function, do not alert or alarm, and are more limited in their dosing flexibility. However, it’s this very simplicity and lack of technology that can make them an attractive option to many people requiring insulin.

There are two available options today, the CeQur Simplicity from CeQur Corporation and the V-Go from Mannkind.

Simplicity CeQur

The 3-day wear CeQur Simplicity provides mealtime and bolus insulin delivered at 2-unit increments. It is inserted with a needle into the skin that is automatically removed, and the insulin is delivered subcutaneously through a plastic cannula.

It is able to hold between 100 and 200 units of insulin (up to 180 units of insulin is available for use due to the 20 units that are needed for priming the patch). If more than 180 units is needed to bolus over 3 days, the patch can be changed in less than 72 hours.

The user must squeeze both buttons on the sides of the patch to deliver the 2-unit insulin dose, squeezing only one button will not deliver any insulin. 

CeQur is labeled to be worn on the abdomen with no less than 1 inch distance between sites upon a subsequent insertion. Proper site rotation should be followed for the health of the skin and to promote insulin absorption.

V-Go from Mannkind

The 1-day wear V-Go provides a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion over a 24-hour wear as well as mealtime and bolus insulin. It uses a preset basal rate of 20, 30 or 40 units per 24 hours (depending on the size of the unit) that is continuously delivered through a steel needle. Up to 36 units are available to meet mealtime and bolus insulin needs.

The V-Go unit must be completely filled with insulin in order to function.  76, 66, and 56 unit capacity options are available to meet the user's insulin needs.

V-Go is labeled to be worn wherever one can give an insulin injection: on the abdomen, back of arms, thighs, buttocks. Proper site rotation should be followed for the health of the skin and to promote insulin absorption.

Additional Details about the Insulin Patches

Filling the Patches

Both patches need prescriptions for insulin along with the patch pump. They are filled with insulin using a syringe.

• The CeQur patch is not designed to be pre-filled.
• The V-Go patch can be filled ahead as follows: Humalog can be filled up to 24 hours ahead and Novolog can be filled up to 5 days ahead when stored in the refrigerator. Novolog can be filled up to 3 days ahead if kept at room temperature.

Procedures

Both patches should be removed before MRI, CT scan or an X-ray for safety. People wearing the device can request not to be exposed to airport X-ray security. 

Affordability Programs

V-Go: With the V-Go Savings Card eligible patients may pay as little as $50 for a 30-day supply of V-Go.

CeQur: Eligible commercially insured patients may pay less than $50 for a 30-day supply and no more than $5 for a reusable Inserter. The CeQur Simplicity CoPay Savings Card provides people with diabetes an affordable way to get a 3-day wearable insulin patch. Go to the CeQur website to view more info as well as terms and conditions.

Prescribing 

Future of Insulin Delivery Patches

We’ve heard that additional competition in this product category is coming soon. We’ll release more information as it becomes available.

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