Medtronic and Bayer announce blood glucose meter alliance

Medtronic and Bayer Diabetes Care – a business unit of Bayer HealthCare – have announced a partnership for the distribution of blood glucose meters to patients outside the US.

Patients will receive access to a new meter based on the Contour meter platform, while test results will be wirelessly transmitted to Guardian real-time continuous glucose monitoring systems and MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps.

This product will be rolled out initially in Canada and Germany, before a phased introduction into other European countries, before establishment in other countries worldwide.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bayer Diabetes Care has also acquired the rights to Medtronic’s wireless communications protocol in some markets outside of the US, while financial details of the transaction have not been made public.

Sandra Peterson, president of Bayer Diabetes Care, said: “Bayer’s strong presence in key markets such as Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia enables Medtronic to reach more diabetes patients with its advanced technologies.”

She added that this agreement highlights the company’s dedication to helping Medtronic patients use frequent glucose testing to ensure good health maintenance.

In December 2006, Medtronic announced the results of a survey regarding the use of insulin pump therapy for the management of blood glucose levels, with the study finding that such a method is preferable to the use of standard insulin injections.