Ole Kjerkegaard Nielsen, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of GO-Pen, is on a mission to create an insulin pen for all people living with diabetes who need insulin. More than 100 million people worldwide need insulin to manage their diabetes. Four out of five people with diabetes live in low and middle income countries. For many, access to insulin and injection devices is a challenge compounded by issues of affordability and availability. One of the biggest innovations of the last 50 years is the introduction of insulin pens making it easier to manage diabetes. However, insulin pens remain out of reach for millions of people living with diabetes. It is estimated that between 11 and 13 million resource-poor people buy insulin in vials, all of whom could benefit from an easier and safer way to inject their insulin. An analysis shows that an affordable insulin pen can save 8,000 lives per year in the US alone, as well as decrease the annual cost of diabetes by $8B. For patients with diabetes, GO-Pen – which joined StartUp Health's T1D Moonshot Community in 2023 – provides an affordable, convenient, reusable insulin pen that is non-brand specific. GO-Pen has developed an injection pen which is sustainable by design and usable for up to three years. Based in Denmark, GO-Pen aims to match the price of the most affordable current option for insulin injection – vials and syringes – with an insulin pen that is simple, safe, and convenient to use. Compared to other insulin administration technology, the GO-Pen is affordable, easier to transport, safe, and convenient. In addition, the pen is designed to reduce hazardous medical plastic waste compared with other solutions.

In this Health Moonshot Update, we hear from Ole Kjerkegaard Nielsen, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of GO-Pen, a company in our Type 1 Diabetes Moonshot community. As you’ll learn, Nielsen and his team based in Denmark have built a new kind of insulin pen, one that is affordable and accessible to all while also adhering to the absolute highest standards of quality. This more accessible insulin pen could change millions of people’s lives. We’ll also get a glimpse into the uniquely challenging startup journey of developing a physical medical device. Nielsen and his team have been winning awards and grants on a regular basis, but the road is still steep. Whether it’s negotiating with a manufacturer across the globe or getting FDA approval, bringing a medical device to market as a startup with limited funds is a challenge that could intimidate even the most market-tested CEOs. Nielsen pulls back the curtain and lets us see that challenge from the inside and shows us where GO-Pen is going next.

Ole Nielsen, PhD, CEO & Co-founder of GO-Pen, is on a health moonshot mission to create equal access to quality diabetes care. By making insulin pens affordable for everyone, GO-Pen – a member of StartUp Health's T1D Moonshot Community – is replacing the use of syringes and making diabetes management easier and less expensive for millions globally. 🏆 GO-Pen won the 2023 ADA Innovation Challenge, and they are progressing towards FDA and CE mark clearance. 💉 Introduction of the insulin pen has revolutionized diabetes management, making it more convenient and accessible. 💡 Ole Nielsen, PhD, has 31 insulin pen patents, making him a key figure in the industry. 🏥 People using the ER for medical care are the most expensive patients in the health system. 💉 11-15 million people worldwide use syringes; GO-Pen's innovation targets this large market. 📈 Not competing with existing insulin pens but improving insulin vials; potential savings of $6 billion yearly in the US alone. 🤝 GO-Pen plans to secure more investments and partnerships, aiming for global impact in diabetes care. 💼 The company has secured a guarantee from the European Union to invest, which is a unique opportunity for funding. 😌 Embracing a positive attitude in difficult times can be a challenge, but it's important for a CEO to spread that can-do attitude to the team. 🌍 We need to join forces internationally to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.