ADA Partners with Xeris for Glucagon Educational Campaign

American Diabetes Assoctiation

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced a multiyear strategic partnership with Xeris Pharmaceuticals. The two organizations will work together on a campaign to raise awareness about the importance of glucagon.

According to the ADA, nearly half of all people with type 1 diabetes suffer from at least one severe hypoglycemia event each year. For people with type 2 diabetes, that number is about 21%. Glucagon is an effective treatment to prevent this, although the ADA notes that it is still under prescribed. As part of its partnership with Xeris, the ADA will produce educational materials aimed about both health care professionals and patients.

In a press release, the ADA’s CEO Charles Henderson said, “Severe hypoglycemia is life-threatening, and people with diabetes on blood glucose-lowering medication are at risk for hypoglycemia. Thus, we must act with urgency to educate people about the importance of having a treatment plan in place that includes having glucagon on hand. Through this important partnership, we can save lives by ensuring individuals with diabetes who are treated with insulin have access to glucagon, preferably a ready-to-use formulation, so they can make a plan and be ready."

In the same press release, Xeris’ CEO John Shannon added, “Severe hypoglycemia is associated with up to a three-time increased risk of death in people with diabetes.4,5,6 Xeris is proud to collaborate with the ADA to urge adoption of their strengthened clinical practice recommendations around the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. The stakes are too high for so many patients at risk to be without a safety net. Our mutual commitment is to fight for all patients living with diabetes and ensure that they can face severe low blood glucose emergencies with confidence by always having a ready-to-use glucagon on hand."

The importance of Glucagon is noted in the ADA’s updated Standards of Care for 2025, which the organization announced in December, 2024.² At the time, the ADA’s senior vice president of health care improvement Nuha El Sayed, MD, MMSc, noted, “"The latest ADA guidelines combine comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for diabetes care with actionable guidance to enable health care professionals provide the best care possible for those living with diabetes.”

The ADA regularly partners with organizations for various educational campaigns related to the treatment of diabetes. In November 2024, the organization announced a partnership with Estes Express Lines. As a result, the freight carrier decorated its trailers with decals promoting the Drive Out Diabetes campaign.³

In a press release issued at the time, Estes president and COO Webb Estes said, “By leveraging our presence on roadways all over the country, we're able to raise awareness and reach more people about important causes, like diabetes. We look forward to seeing the impact of this new program and letting everyone know about the causes and nonprofits that Team Estes supports and believes in."

Chair of the ADA’s board of directors Rhodes Ritenour added, “American Diabetes Month is the perfect time to roll out this unique way of raising awareness about diabetes. We're grateful to Estes Express Lines for joining us in the fight to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes—and ultimately to find a cure."

Sources

1. The American Diabetes Association and Xeris Pharmaceuticals Announce National Collaboration to Provide Life-Saving Hypoglycemia Education and Awareness. American Diabetes Association. January 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-diabetes-association-and-xeris-pharmaceuticals-announce-national-collaboration-to-provide-life-saving-hypoglycemia-education-and-awareness-302355703.html
2. The American Diabetes Association Releases Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. American Diabetes Association. December 9, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-diabetes-association-releases-standards-of-care-in-diabetes2025-302326273.html
3. Estes Express Lines and the American Diabetes Association to Hit the Road to Raise Diabetes Awareness. American Diabetes Association. November 21, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/estes-express-lines-and-the-american-diabetes-association-to-hit-the-road-to-raise-diabetes-awareness-302313310.html