The Most Overlooked Play on Personalized Health

As a college volleyball player, I’ve noticed more of my teammates and friends wearing WHOOP bands, Oura rings, and other devices to track recovery, sleep, heart rate... you get the picture.

Everyone’s looking for a personal edge to reach their fitness goals and better understand their body.

That got me thinking. This shift toward personalized health data isn’t limited to athletics and wellness. It’s reshaping healthcare too.

One name standing out when I scoured LikeFolio data: Insulet (PODD).

Insulet’s core product, Omnipod, remains unique in the insulin delivery category. It’s the only wearable, fully automated device that delivers insulin without tubes or daily injections.

That simplicity matters, especially for first-time users navigating a new diagnosis. Most alternative pumps still require manual management.

The Omnipod 5 system functions like a smart device, which users are increasingly familiar with. It integrates real-time glucose data, adjusts dosing through an embedded algorithm, and is fully controlled through Android and iOS apps.

In Q1 2025, 40% of U.S. users were managing their device through the mobile app. That figure was just 25% at the end of 2024.

Web traffic to Omnipod-related properties is up +77% YoY, coinciding with rising adoption among Type 2 diabetes patients. The device was cleared for use among this large cohort of individuals less than a year ago.

Pumps have historically seen limited uptake in this group due to later-stage insulin use, less familiarity with wearable devices, and prior insurance barriers.

That’s now changing as access improves and training requirements decline — and stands to be an ENORMOUS opportunity for Insulet.

PODD is also working to reduce pharmaceutical barriers.

Insulet distributes through more than 46,000 retail pharmacies. That approach eliminates delays tied to durable medical equipment providers and reduces prescription abandonment. It also supports refill behavior and drives recurring engagement with the product.

That improved access is translating directly into performance. Q1 2025 revenue reached $569 million, a 29% increase from the prior year. Omnipod accounted for $554 million, with growth driven by pharmacy channel scale and international expansion. The company raised full-year guidance, now projecting 20 to 23% global growth for Omnipod, with U.S. growth expected at 18 to 21% and international growth at 27 to 30%.

Bottom line: good products drive continued growth, especially when they provide tremendous lifestyle improvements. It’s our job at LikeFolio to highlight when we see high performers, like PODD, in our midst.

PODD-funded trial results released this year included outcomes from more than 23,000 adults using Omnipod 5. Patients reported lower diabetes-related distress, higher ease-of-use scores, and clinically significant reductions in A1c. These outcomes further expand the product’s appeal beyond its original Type 1 base.

The stock gained popped following the Q1 print and reached a new 52-week high. Analysts upgraded targets and cited continued strength in both device usage and global expansion.

Earnings for Q2 will be released this week and early indications suggest a great report.