Abbott launches next-gen FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus with continuous glucose readings – Express Healthcare

The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus uses near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth technology with optional alarms providing continuous glucose data to a compatible smartphone

Dr Kenneth Lee, Dr. Eileen Canday, Sameera Reddy, & her mother-in-law Manjri Varde at FSL2 Plus launch event

Abbott announced the launch of the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor, Abbott’s latest addition to the FreeStyle Libre sensor portfolio. This device offersautomatic glucose readings every minute straight to your phone, enabling people with diabetes to manage their condition with confidence, precision, and ease. People living with diabetes can see their glucose readings, without having to scan, and receive alerts automatically on their compatible (1) smartphone when low glucose levels (2) or high glucose levels (2) happen, letting them make informed decisions.

With 101 million people living with diabetes, India is home to thesecond-largest diabetes population in the world (3). This staggering number highlights the urgent need for accessible, real-time tools likecontinuous glucose monitors (CGMs)to help people manage their diabetes confidently and proactively. Glucose monitoring, alongside appropriate therapy, is key to managing the condition and preventing complications (4).

Dr. Kenneth Lee, Regional Medical Affairs Director, Asia Pacific, Diabetes Division, Abbott. “FreeStyle Libre2 Plus performance meets robust accuracy standards (5,6) to ensure reliable glucose readings for all intended patient populations and glycemic ranges. It gives people the freedom to monitor their glucose levels without routine fingersticks, helping them make more informed decisions.”

Studies show that FreeStyle Libre technology can help reduce low blood sugar episodes by up to 43 per cent (7), a 0.9 per cent to 1.5 per cent drop in HbA1c levels (8), and even cut hospital visits by 66 per cent (9). Libre technology has been shown to reduce cardiovascular complication risk by 78 per cent (10) in people with Type 1 diabetes post-severe hypoglycemia, and lower hospitalisation risk for stroke and diabetes-related complications by 44 per cent (11) in insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes (12). And for caregivers, real-time alerts offer peace of mind and the chance to act before situations get serious.

How the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus works

The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus uses near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth technology with optional alarms providing continuous glucose data to a compatible smartphone(13,14). The sensor can be worn on the back of the arm for up to 15 days and can be activated via a quick scan using a compatible phone. People living with diabetes see real-time glucose levels every minute, historical trends and patterns, and arrows showing where glucose levels are going without having to fingerstick (15). Parents and caregivers can also automatically receive glucose readings and set customizable alarms, helping provide further peace of mind. Additionally, people using FreeStyle LibreLink can share information with their healthcare professional and caregivers through LibreView and LibreLinkUp, digital health tools that are also part of the FreeStyle Libre platform. LibreView is a secure, cloud-based diabetes management system that enables the patient to share their glucose insights with their healthcare provider, helping them take timely intervention. LibreLinkUp is a mobile app for parents and caregivers, allowing them to easily check glucose history and trends for a child, elderly parent or loved ones managing diabetes.

FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus is now available across India for adults and children aged 2 and above, including women with gestational diabetes.

References:

1. https://freestyleserver.com/Payloads/IFU/2025/q2/ART39109-001_rev-BC-pub.pdf
2. Low glucose is defined as <70 mg/dL; high glucose is defined as >140 mg/dL; ADA (American Diabetes Association), CDA (Canadian Diabetes Association) and EMA (European Medicines Agency)
3. https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/landia/PIIS2213-8587(23)00119-5.pd
4. Diabetes leads to complication. 2. David M. Williams et al., Stroke 2023; 54(5):1441-1451. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.042109
5. Based on publicly available information from FDA databases accessed on January 2025, for iCGM products available at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-862/subpart-B/section-862.1355. iCGM is a US-only classification and regulation
6. Klonoff, D. C. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (2024). https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968241250357
7. REPLACE study – Haak, T. Diabetes Ther (2017): https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-016-0223-6
8. WRING Study – Wright E, Kerr MSD, Reyes IJ, et al. HbA1c reduction associated with a FreeStyle Libre system in people with type 2 diabetes not on bolus insulin therapy [78-LB]. Poster presented at: 80th Scientific c Sessions of the American Diabetes Association: June 12-16, 2020; Virtual
9. Fokkert, M. BMJ Open Diab Res Care (2019): https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000809
10. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-025-06438-y
11. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-025-06438-y
12. Eeg-Olofsson, K., Diabetologia(2025):https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06438-y
13. Glucose readings are automatically displayed in the FreeStyle LibreLink app only when user’s smartphone and sensor are connected and in range.
14. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is compatible with NFC-enabled smartphones running Android OS 5.0 or higher, and with iPhone 7 and higher running OS 11 and higher. The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader have similar, but not identical, features.
15. A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels, or if hypoglycemia or impending hypoglycemia is reported but the symptoms do not match the system readings