Three diabetes health entrepreneurs with novel approaches that could potentially drive the future of diabetes treatment claimed top prizes—and the potential for each to take home up to $50,000 in backing from the American Diabetes Association’s® (ADA’s) Innovation Fund—at the annual Innovation Challenge at the 2026 Scientific Sessions on Saturday, June 6.
“This is an opportunity to change healthcare,” said one of the winners, Vijit Sabnis, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Adaptyx Biosciences, which seeks to develop wearable technology biosensors that deliver continuous data on electrolytes, proteins, and—particularly relevant to the care of diabetes and obesity—hormones such as cortisol, which acts to increase glucose. “We are not measuring an esoteric marker, but something fundamental to our biology.”
Dr. Sabnis and Adaptyx Biosciences also won the People’s Choice prize of $1,000 through an online vote by the audience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
On-demand access to recorded presentations will be available to registered participants following the conclusion of the 2026 Scientific Sessions, from June 10–August 10.
Other winners include Megha Poddar, MD, Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of nymble health, whose artificial intelligence (AI) platform seeks to drive adherence and empower patients between clinical visits, and Eyal Nouri, MBA, Co-Owner and CEO of SilverStream Medical, which creates wound-management solutions aimed at reducing diabetes-related limb amputations.
Dr. Poddar told the panel of five judges that her company’s behavioral support tool—a series of AI-platform text conversations that creates a personalized profile to provide healthcare guidance—addresses the critical drop in adherence between the time when a metabolic medication is begun and the time when it is stopped without medical consultation.
“This is where real behavior change happens, and where we can start to change persistence,” she said.
Mr. Nouri presented a liquid solution that combats infections and helps accelerate the healing process for wounds. He hopes to expand its presence in the United States, where more than 150,000 limb amputations are conducted every year, with some 80% of non-traumatic lower limb amputations attributable to diabetes complications.
“Our goal is to come to the U.S. market and prevent amputation—to take the 154,000 annual amputations down to 10,000,” Mr. Nouri said.
Two other finalists selected from the more than 50 applicants for this year’s challenge also presented innovative products. Jesse Kesner, MBA, Co-founder of Alnu Health, pitched an app that helps clinics and people taking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists adhere to treatments. Georgia Myers, MPhil, Founder and CEO of Flow Health Science, presented a clinically studied multi-energy drink that provides fast-acting support in responding and recovering from hypoglycemic events.
Dr. Sabnis said that winning the top prize in this year’s competition will allow him and his company to explore new collaborations in developing treatments for diabetes and other diseases.
“This award allows us to build connections and get potential partnerships.” Dr. Sabnis said. “I’m so grateful to be here and share this, particularly with this audience of endocrinologists, healthcare providers, and technology providers. I hope this is just the beginning.”
Amy Hess-Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, who served as event co-host in her role as ADA President, Healthcare & Education, said the ADA is committed to the Innovation Challenge because it provides direct support to the idea of progress through ambitious leaps in diabetes care.
“We’re looking at innovative things that have real-world potential. We need big ideas and out-of-the-box thinking to be able to transform the lives of people with diabetes,” she said.
In addition to the five finalists on stage for the 2026 event, the 10 runners-up for this year’s contest had the opportunity to display their business pitches at the Scientific Sessions.
Save the date
Make plans to join us June 18–21, 2027, for the 2027 Scientific Sessions at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Registration will open in January.
