Is diabetes device technology innovation keeping pace with the disease?

OTTAWA, Ontario, May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UBM TechInsights and Espicom Business Intelligence have joined together to publish an industry first report that combines market and intellectual property analysis on the diabetes treatment device industry.  This comprehensive report (www.ubmtechinsights.com/diabetes) contains original market forecasts; detailed analysis of market and product trends, threats and opportunities; and an assessment of 5900 diabetes device patents.

There have been many flags raised about the ever increasing prevalence of diabetes, in both developed and developing countries. However, analysis indicates that the rate of technology advancement in the diabetes treatment and monitoring device industry is not keeping pace and that the technological solutions under development may not be enough to meet patient and clinician requirements.

Bill Betten, Senior Technical Advisor Medical Devices, UBM TechInsights comments, "While the incidence of diabetes continues to increase around the world, the ability for technological solutions to keep pace, particularly with regard to new monitoring and treatment methods, has slowed as indicated by the number of patents and applications in the diabetes medical device space.  While the development of a device to easily and accurately sense blood glucose levels non-invasively continues, the method of periodic blood sticks and injection of insulin via syringes and pens continues to dominate and has progressed little in the last decade."

The newly released report entitled 'Diabetes Landscape: Market, Technology and Intellectual Property', shows the global market is experiencing growth in the diabetes treatment and device industry, with expectations it could reach nearly US$18 billion in 2017. However, there are regional variations in growth; in particular, the US, Europe and other developed regions are experiencing price pressures and slower sales volumes as a result of the economic downturn and government reductions in healthcare spending. Global growth is being fueled by strong demand for self monitoring of blood glucose and insulin delivery products in emerging and developing nations and several manufacturers are turning to these markets to generate new sales.

The diabetes devices market is dominated by just six major manufacturers - Roche, Johnson & Johnson through its Animas and LifeScan units, Bayer, Medtronic, Abbott, and Becton, Dickinson & Company – and they account for nearly 90% of total diabetes device sales. The report shows over 100 companies are presently engaged in product development activities and there are over 500 patent assignees for the 5900 diabetes device patents reviewed. Patent analysis revealed there are only 12 companies with significant patent holdings and each appears to have significant gaps in their IP and product coverage of emerging technologies. This leads us to believe good opportunities remain for those smaller companies with unique devices or that compete in yet-to-be established markets.

This 2 volume report, which is now available, is a must-read for those companies looking to understand how intellectual property trends in the diabetes device sector relate to market opportunities.

About UBM TechInsights

UBM TechInsights is the preeminent firm for the provision of sophisticated information and advice to technology companies. UBM TechInsights provides medical electronics device manufacturers and their suppliers with intellectual property, business intelligence and technology services to drive critical business decisions. Our extensive analytical capabilities, deep expertise in the underlying technologies used in today's medical devices and years of experience in all aspects of the IP / Technology Lifecycle enable us to deliver the highest service and expertise to clients in the medtech industry.

Visit www.ubmtechinsights.com/medical

About Espicom Business Intelligence

Espicom is a highly-regarded and established independent provider of business intelligence services for the global medtech industries. Based in the UK and with over 30 years of continuous research and editorial experience in the global health industry, Espicom is one of the longest established, independent business intelligence providers operating today. Espicom produces original analysis, news and forecasts using its skilled and experienced team of full-time in-house analysts, researchers and editorial experts. Over 50,000 users in more than 50 countries worldwide rely on Espicom's essential market data. www.espicom.com/medical

SOURCE UBM TechInsights