What happened to the POGO blood glucose meter by Intuity Medical?

The Intuity POGO Automatic Blood Glucose Monitoring System, commonly referred to as the Intuity POGO meter, was a unique blood glucose meter that integrated both lancing and testing in a single device, eliminating the need for separate test strips. The device allowed users to test their blood glucose with just one touch, making it a convenient option for those managing diabetes.

However, the POGO meter was discontinued in June 2024 due to issues with market performance and challenges in scaling up manufacturing and distribution. The company cited difficulties in achieving sustainable growth and meeting the needs of a competitive diabetes management market. This discontinuation disappointed some users who appreciated its convenience and all-in-one design.

Alternative to POGO

Since then, many users have been searching for alternative meters with similar ease of use. Though few options have fully replicated POGO's unique approach, the BETACHEK C50 blood glucose meter does offer an alternative.

Criticisms - why was POGO not successful?

The POGO meter used a hypodermic needle (hollow needle) to prick the skin and draw up blood onto a test zone. Although this eliminated the step of transferring a drop of blood to the test zone, it resulted in more pain and a larger hole in the finger tip. In addition to this drawback there was no way to adjust the penetration depth of the needle. When using traditional lancing devices the penetration depth of the lancet can be adjusted. A thin lancet that penetrates the minimum amount required to draw blood allows virtually pain free lancing. Pogo users complained that lancing wounds would continue to bleed for some time after the test.

High Costs

Intuity raised $372 million in venture funding, with its last round coming in November 2019. It raised $57.5 million in debt financing in May 2021. The cost of producing the meter and test drums was high, which meant the gross profit was low, so low that it became uncertain that net profits would ever eventuate, let alone recoup the investment. This led the board to the unhappy decision to cease trading and liquidate the business.

Silicon Valley Disposition (SVD) auctioned the assets of Intuity Medical from September 10-12, 2024.

YSI, Model: 2500 analyser, one of several used to calibrate the POGO meter