Dexcom (Nasdaq:DXCM) today unveiled its next-generation continuous glucose monitor (CGM), the G8 system, at its Investor Day event.
San Diego-based Dexcom CEO Jake Leach previously told Drug Delivery Business News that the G8 would offer a “much smaller wearable” in a step-change from the company’s current-generation G7 system.
At the company’s investor day, Leach offered more insight into the enhancements that G8 will bring, building on the G7 with a 50% smaller form factor and advanced sensing capabilities. Leach says the system strengthens “everything,” ranging from accuracy to connectivity and design.
“It doesn’t just represent a step — a small change — this is a step-change. It is a completely new product platform,” Leach said at the Investor Day event. “The improvements are very exciting, and they’re much, much more than incremental. G8 is actually going to change everything.”
What are some of the features of G8
According to Leach, the G8 will adapt to the physiological variability of each user. It has additional built-in technology based on a new silicon chip design and algorithm. He said this technology has been in development “for several decades” at Dexcom, and it can finally prove that it can work in G8.
With the new technology, G8 can measure additional signals from the sensor, going beyond glucose, allowing it to adapt to physiologic changes and reduce outliers in real-time and eliminate them. Leach said G8 combines traditional factory calibration with adapting capabilities for every user.
Additionally, with the recent rollout of the G7 15 Day CGM system, Leach said 15-day wear time is the baseline for all sensors moving forward.
“It’s a precise sensor that’s going to adapt to the body over time,” he said. “And we expect this to really enhance the user experience.”
What about capabilities beyond glucose into ketones?
Dexcom is also working on a multi-analyte sensor, which would pit it against its usual CGM rival, Abbott, which is also advancing a sensor that measures ketones.
“We have some pretty strong momentum going with G7 10 Day and G7 15 Day, and we intend to carry that momentum forward into the launch of G8 in a multifaceted view of our customers,” Leach said. “We have purposely focused on ensuring we meet the most important need for users in terms of accuracy and reliability of glucose readings. Right behind that product is a multi-analyte version of G8 that will add to the product portfolio. What’s important to know is about all of this technology is being developed for all people with diabetes, not a specific subset.”
Leach said Dexcom sees ketones as an important component of diabetes care across the spectrum of care. While the accuracy and reliability of G8 remain a priority, the company is also working to integrate ketone sensing into G8.
Dexcom plans to start with G8 as a CGM with ketone measurement coming later. Leach provided no timelines as the company continues working on clinical efforts to evaluate the system.
“I think there’s still quite a bit of clinical work that needs to be done to determine how to appropriately measure and appropriately communicate readings to users and what to do with that information,” Leach said. “It’s not nearly as clear as glucose.”
When can we expect a G8 launch?
Leach said the company’s G8 development points toward regulatory submissions next year. That would facilitate a launch at the end of 2027 or in early 2028, depending on regulatory timing.
CFO Jereme Sylvain said the company expects more uptake on both G7 15 Day and G8 once launched. He noted that Dexcom plans for a launch outside the U.S. in 2028.
“G8 is an incredible step-change in accuracy with a sensor that adapts to you,” Sylvain said. “It’s an incredible opportunity.”
Leach and Sylvain also said that Dexcom can retrofit G7 production lines to manufacture G8, while the device actually costs less to produce.
“Our expectation is that it costs at least 10% less than it costs to make G7,” Sylvain said. “That includes all the upgrading of silicon, all the upgrading of capabilities and technology.”
Leach expects that, once launched, the new CGM will unsurprisingly provide a large boost for Dexcom as it looks to reach more people with diabetes and those who can benefit from CGM.
“As we build better solutions that meet more of these customer needs, I think G8 is a big part of that,” Leach said. “It’s about capturing more share and increasing the number of new patients that are coming onto CGM therapy. I do think, by focusing on the experience and the products, that we can do that.”
The analysts’ take
BTIG analysts Marie Thibault, Alexandra Pang and Sam Eiber maintained their “Buy” rating for Dexcom after the Investor Day unveiling.
The analysts note that Dexcom management outlined plans to double the number of covered lives by 2030. They also pointed to future enhancements to its product portfolio, along with a $1 billion share repurchase authorization for 2026.
“We are encouraged by these financial targets and product pipeline details,” the analysts said.
