Most diabetes technology today is built around one main job: delivering insulin.
And or many people, automated insulin delivery systems have already made life a lot easier.
But there’s still one missing piece. Your body doesn’t just use insulin. It also uses glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar when it drops too low. And now, companies are actively working on systems that use both.
These are called dual-hormone systems, and they could represent one of the biggest shifts in diabetes tech in years.
What Is a Dual-Hormone System?
A dual-hormone system is simple in concept: it's designed to deliver both insulin to bring glucose down and glucagon to raise it back up.
Instead of relying only on insulin and treating lows with glucose, these systems aim to automatically balance both sides, mimicking how a pancreas works. By delivering small doses of glucagon and insulin, these dual-hormone systems will reduce the need for constant intervention and hyper vigilance.
What’s New in This Space
Dual-hormone systems have been studied for years, but a few key shifts are moving things forward.
More Stable Glucagon
One of the biggest barriers has been glucagon stability. Traditional glucagon breaks down quickly once mixed, making it difficult to use in a pump.
Newer formulations, like dasiglucagon, are much more stable and designed for continuous use. This has opened the door for real device development.
More Advanced Algorithms
Modern systems are getting better at coordinating insulin and glucagon delivery.
Recent research shows:
- Improved time in range
- Fewer hypoglycemic events
- Better overall glucose stability
These systems are learning how to balance both hormones in real time, which is a major step forward.
Who’s Actually Building These Systems?
This isn’t just theoretical. There are real companies working on this right now.
Beta Bionics
Beta Bionics is leading the charge with its iLet Bionic Pancreas.
- The current iLet system is insulin-only
- The platform is designed to support a dual-hormone version
- Ongoing trials are testing systems that use insulin + dasiglucagon
Beta Bionics has partnered with companies like Xeris to support stable glucagon delivery, which is a key piece of making this work in real life.
This is the closest system to becoming widely available in the future.
Inreda Diabetic
Inreda, based in Europe, has already developed a dual-hormone artificial pancreas system that delivers both insulin and glucagon.
- It has been used in limited real-world settings
- It mimics natural pancreatic function more closely than insulin-only systems
While not widely available yet, it shows that dual-hormone systems can work outside of research environments.
What’s Still Challenging
There are still hurdles to overcome:
- Device complexity (two hormones instead of one)
- Cost and accessibility
- Regulatory approval timelines
- Real-world usability
- These systems are promising, but not ready for widespread use just yet.
What to Expect in the Next 3–5 Years
Here’s a realistic look at what’s ahead:
Next 1–2 Years
- Continued clinical trials of dual-hormone systems
- More data presented at conferences like ATTD and ADA
- Refinement of glucagon formulations
2–3 Years
- Expanded real-world testing
- More companies entering the space
- Early regulatory conversations
3–5 Years
- Potential first broader commercial launches
- More user-friendly system designs
- Integration with existing CGMs and pump ecosystems
Timelines can shift, but the momentum is clearly building.
Final Thoughts
We’re still early, but this space is moving faster than it has in years.
With companies like Beta Bionics pushing forward and real-world systems already being tested, dual-hormone technology is becoming more tangible.
It won’t replace everything overnight, but it could significantly decrease the number of decisions required every day, reducing the mental load of living with diabetes.
