Milpitas, CA (May 9, 2011) -- LifeScan, Inc., makers of the top-selling OneTouch® Brand of Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems for people with diabetes, has fulfilled the terms of its exclusive, three-year agreement to provide Medtronic customers in the U.S. with the OneTouch® UltraLink® Blood Glucose Meter that wirelessly transmits glucose values to Medtronic MiniMed Paradigm®insulin pumps and Guardian®REAL-Time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems.
“The Medtronic/LifeScan alliance has been quite successful. Together, we’ve raised awareness of insulin pump therapy and the benefits of frequent blood glucose testing for patients who use insulin. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve these patients,” said Michel Paul, Company Group Chairman, Johnson & Johnson Family of Diabetes Companies, which includes LifeScan.
LifeScan will continue to provide OneTouch UltraLink Systems to Medtronic to meet the needs of new and existing U.S. users of their products until an alternate system becomes available from Medtronic’s new, contracted U.S. meter supplier. In addition, all OneTouch UltraLink Systems currently in the market will continue to operate. Patients can continue to use their OneTouch UltraLink Systems based on their personal preference and other factors, such as HCP recommendations or lower insurance co-pays for OneTouch® Ultra® Blue Test Strips, which are used by the OneTouch UltraLink System.
Going forward, LifeScan and Animas, both members of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Diabetes Companies, will expand their existing collaboration and joint product development programs to deliver integrated products, tools and services for insulin patients. The companies co-developed the current OneTouch® Ping® System, the first full-feature insulin pump that wirelessly communicates with a blood glucose meter-remote. Using the OneTouch Ping meter-remote, a person can calculate insulin doses and opt to wirelessly instruct the pump to deliver them without touching the pump at all, giving patients more freedom and flexibility in using their insulin pump.
“Through our continued work with Animas we hope to further empower patients to more easily and effectively manage their glucose levels while easing the burden of patient education on healthcare providers,” said Mr. Paul.
Four operating units comprise the Johnson & Johnson Family of Diabetes Companies with the goals of providing professional and community education, advanced products and services, and advocacy and support to people living with diabetes and their families. These companies include: LifeScan, Inc., a world leader in blood glucose monitoring; Animas Corporation, maker of innovative insulin delivery systems; Children with Diabetes, Inc., a community offering support and education for children, adults and their families living with diabetes; and the Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute, LLC, a global initiative to improve care and better outcomes worldwide through educational programs.
About LifeScan: LifeScan is the leading blood glucose monitoring company in the U.S. More than 5 million people in the U.S. depend on LifeScan’s OneTouch® Brand Products for simple testing and accurate results to help them manage their diabetes. OneTouch® is the most recommended brand of meters by Healthcare Professionals in the U.S., including Endocrinologists, Primary Care Physicians and Diabetes Educators. 97% of patients, including those with Medicare, are insured for OneTouch® Brand Products according to MediMedia Formulary Compass, March 2011 and CMS Medicare Part B enrollment. For more information on diabetes care and OneTouch® Products and services, visit www.OneTouch.com.
About Animas Corporation: Animas is dedicated to creating a world without limits for people with diabetes through a wide range of products, including the Animas® 2020 insulin pump, ezManager® MAX software, and the OneTouch Ping Glucose Management System. Animas, from the Latin word meaning “true inner self or soul,” has been committed since 1996 to meeting individual patient needs through the development of life-performance technology and unparalleled customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
SOURCE LifeScan, Inc.