Sanofi launches iPhone and iPod glucose monitor in the UK
pharmafile | March 12, 2012 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing | BGStar, Sanofi, diabetes, iPod, iphone
Sanofi has launched a new diabetes device in the UK to help patients monitor their blood sugar levels from their phones or mp3 players.
The iBGStar is an attachable glucose monitor that plugs into Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch products, and Sanofi says it allows diabetics to check their blood sugar levels whilst on the go.
Traditional blood glucose monitors are palm-sized devices that test tiny drops of blood obtained by pricking the skin, and include Roche’s Accu-Check and Life Scan’s ‘One Touch’ range.
The iBGStar works much the same way, but is just one inch long and plugs straight into an iPhone or iPod Touch – it can also be used with the iPad range.
The monitor’s software carries out the analysis and flashes the results onto the screen. This also allows users to follow changing trends and variations, and factors in information such as carbohydrate intake, insulin injections and exercise.
The iBGStar, which is being sold at Boots for £48 from today, also comes with a free ‘Diabetes Manager App’, which makes it possible to store, track and analyse medical data.
But today’s announcement will be a disappointment to people with non-Apple products, such as Google and Android phone users, who will not be able to use the device.
Sanofi said that for those without an iPhone and iPod it has also launched BGStar, which is an easy-to-use monitor available free of charge from a healthcare professional.
The BGStar features a large, backlit screen and is also accompanied by ‘Diabetes Management Software’, which allows data to be quickly displayed and managed.
The firm said that the iBGStar is the first blood glucose monitor (BGM) to seamlessly connect to the iPhone and iPod Touch, and is touting it as a “breakthrough new approach for people with diabetes taking insulin and it’s for those who want the latest, cutting-edge technology to manage their condition on the go”.
Sanofi currently markets a number of diabetes products, including its insulin Lantus, the long-acting human insulin analogue, and Apidra, its rapid acting insulin.
Both these products also have their own medical device developed by Sanofi: the Lantus SoloSTAR and ApidraSTAR injections pens. The firm also sells ClikSTAR, a reusable pen for Lantus and Apidra.
Dr Andrew Hockey, medical director for diabetes at Sanofi, said the device was a ‘huge step forward’.
“It harnesses the power of the latest technology to empower people with diabetes to manage their condition on a day-to-day basis,” he said.
Sarah Johnson, from the type I diabetes research charity JDRF, said: “Good blood glucose control is vital to reducing the long-term effects of diabetes, but it can be difficult and demanding to achieve.
“As such, we welcome all developments in technology that can help people with type-I and type II diabetes take control of their condition.”
TV presenter Dominic Littlewood, who is helping to promote the device and was diagnosed with type I diabetes as a teenager, said: “I lead a hectic lifestyle and so keeping an eye on my blood glucose levels is challenging.
“[The] iBGStar gives me the reassurance of knowing that I can get accurate blood glucose results using my iPhone, which I carry around anyway,” he added.
Watch the monitor in action via this video: http://view.vzaar.com/932959/player
Ben Adams is the reporter for Pharmafocus and InPharm.com and manages the DigiBlog site. He can be contacted via: email or Twitter.
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