Tandem Announces Two Partnerships
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. has teamed with Dexcom to expand an existing partnership to include development of Dexcom’s latest continuous glucose monitoring system, the G4 Platinum. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the new CGM in October.
In addition to a compact receiver that attaches virtually anywhere on the body, the unit features a transmitter that sounds an alarm when blood glucose levels are high or low. It also has a USB port so that information can be downloaded and easily tracked, as well as shared with doctors or loved ones to target trouble spots in the user’s diabetes management.
“Dexcom’s G4 Platinum sensor is the most accurate and easiest to use technology available, and fits well with our product development plans,” says Kim Blickenstaff, Tandem’s president and CEO.
According to Dexcom’s clinical trials, the G4 Platinum has improved accuracy and is easier to use compared to the company’s previous Seven Plus continuous glucose meter.
For more information, visit www.dexcom.com.
Teaming Up With JDRF
In addition to its partnership with Dexcom, Tandem has teamed with JDRF, a leader in type 1 diabetes research, to develop a unique dual-chamber infusion pump to help those with diabetes better manage their care. It will be the first of its kind.
“An ambulatory device that can simultaneously deliver insulin along with other drug therapies that are used for optimal diabetes management is not currently commercially available,” says Tandem’s Blickenstaff.
“Current infusion pumps offer only one hormone,” says Aaron Kowalski, PhD, JDRF’s assistant vice president of treatment therapies. “However, a human pancreas produces several hormones, in addition to insulin, that aid metabolism, digestion, and, of course, blood sugar control. Tandem’s research into infusion pumps that could simultaneously deliver multiple hormones is thereby an important step forward in the development of a more effective artificial pancreas system.”
JDRF will support Tandem through performance-based funding over the next two years, during which the company expects to complete the development, testing, and manufacturing of the dual-chamber pump.
The pump is part of efforts to create an artificial pancreas system to help those with type 1 diabetes control their blood sugar around the clock, working alongside a continuous glucose monitor that will provide regular readings and ensure the right amount of insulin and other hormones are delivered at the right time.
For more information on Tandem Diabetes Care, visit www.tandemdiabetes.com, or follow it on Twitter @tandemdiabetes, #tslim or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TandemDiabetesCorp.
