Glucagon Pump Therapy for PBH in People After Bariatric Surgery
Official title: Glucagon Pump Therapy for Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia: Merging Physiology and Engineering
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11369636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses a patch pump and smart control to deliver glucagon during meal-related lows in adults who had bariatric surgery and developed dangerous hypoglycemia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $709,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137518-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with post-bariatric hypoglycemia who experience clinically significant lows despite current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with PBH who are intolerant to glucagon or have contraindications to pump therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you’ve had bariatric surgery and suffer from severe low blood sugar, this project aims to help by using a closed-loop system that reads glucose levels and automatically delivers glucagon to prevent fainting or brain trouble. The study builds on earlier work that paired continuous glucose monitoring with a small pump and algorithm to give bursts of glucagon when lows are starting. Researchers will test the safety and practicality of this system in people with PBH, comparing it to standard care in a controlled setting. The goal is to make glucose management simpler and safer for patients who struggle with unpredictable lows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience fewer severe hypoglycemia events and more stable daily glucose control.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work showed that closed-loop glucagon delivery can be effective and safe in PBH, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patti, Mary E — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Patti, Mary E
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.