JDRF and BD Collaborate to Develop More Accurate and Reliable Glucose Monitoring Devices for People with Type 1 Diabetes

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Jun 07, 2012, 09:15 ET

Joint JDRF-Helmsley Charitable Trust Sensor Initiative Seeks to Accelerate Technology Innovation to Improve Glucose Control

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. and NEW YORK, June 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- JDRF and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) today announced an extension of their existing collaboration focused on Type 1 diabetes (T1D) to accelerate the development of BD's proprietary glucose-sensing technology which has shown promise in providing very accurate and reliable continuous glucose information.

JDRF and The Helmsley Charitable Trust (HCT) joined forces to support novel technologies that will be essential for developing fully automated artificial pancreas systems with advanced monitoring capabilities. The research expansion is part of the JDRF-HCT Sensor Initiative designed to accelerate the development of advanced sensors that improve the detection of changing glucose levels. Today's continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have significantly improved glucose control in people with T1D[1]. Next-generation sensors are expected to provide improved accuracy and reliability, with a goal of striving for more automated artificial pancreas systems.

T1D is an autoimmune disease in which the body's pancreas stops producing enough insulin, a hormone needed to turn food into energy. People with T1D must test their blood glucose levels either by sticking their fingers for blood or with the aid of a CGM, calculating the insulin needed, and administering accurate insulin doses via injections or an insulin pump multiple times throughout the day.

"Providing more accurate glucose monitoring and improving insulin delivery are vital to helping people manage their diabetes," said Linda Tharby, President, BD Medical - Diabetes Care. "Combined with our existing JDRF collaboration to develop microneedle insulin infusion, this latest collaboration with JDRF and The Helmsley Charitable Trust demonstrates the parties' commitment to further improving the patient experience and enabling the artificial pancreas."

"BD understands and believes in JDRF's commitment to and excitement about the prospects of developing better technologies in a relatively short timeframe to benefit people with diabetes," said Jeffrey Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of JDRF. "BD is well positioned to address the patient need given its heritage in injection- and infusion-based drug delivery. We look forward to working with BD on this initiative."

"While we continue to search for the elusive cure, we must give people with T1D better tools to ease the burden of managing their disease, and this project is a step forward toward that goal," said David Panzirer, Trustee, The Helmsley Charitable Trust.

CGM devices provide both a real-time snapshot of the glucose level of a person with diabetes, as well as trend information on whether glucose is moving upward or downward, and at what speed. The devices also provide warnings when the glucose is becoming too high or too low. JDRF's landmark CGM trials have shown that using CGMs can significantly improve diabetes control and decrease the frequency of high and low blood glucose when used regularly. In the future, the development of artificial pancreas systems that maintain normal glucose levels by automating insulin delivery will require advanced sensors with increased accuracy and error detection capabilities.

About BD
BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit www.bd.com.

About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal. Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to T1D research. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education. Past JDRF research efforts have helped to significantly improve the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.

About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, established in 1999, is administered by four Trustees selected by Leona Helmsley. As a continuation of Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley's generous giving throughout their lifetimes, the Trust supports a diverse range of organizations with a major focus on health and medical research, in addition to programs in human services, education, cultural access, conservation and the security and development of Israel. Since 2009, the Trust has committed over $100 million to type 1 diabetes research and programs through the Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes Program. For more information, please visit www.helmsleytrust.org.

[1] New Engl J Med 2008;359:1464-76

SOURCE JDRF