Sanofi Officially Launches It's New Blood Glucose Meter

Dominic Littlewood With The New iBG Star Blood Glucose Meter

Sanofi launches eagerly anticipated blood glucose monitor for the diabetes iGeneration

iBGStar® offers breakthrough approach to managing diabetes on-the-move

Guildford, UK – 12 March 2012 – The first blood glucose monitor (BGM) to seamlessly connect to the Apple iPhone® and iPod touch®* launches today. iBGStar® is a breakthrough new approach for people with diabetes taking insulin and it’s for those who want the latest, cutting-edge technology to manage their condition on-the-go. iBGStar is being rolled-out across Boots stores nationwide from today and is also available on Boots.com.



iBGStar attaches to the iPhone and iPod touch and uses advanced technology so it can meet the needs and fit in with the lifestyle of people with diabetes in the 21st century. It comes with a free Diabetes Manager App that allows users to store, track and analyse additional diabetes information, which they can share with their healthcare professional and family members.



iBGStar has already won the 2011 GOOD DESIGN® and red dot awards for its discreet and stylish design. A trial of the device among people with diabetes showed 72% found it to be better in terms of functionality and 58% found it easier to use compared to their previous meter. Furthermore, 94% of patients and Diabetes Specialist Nurses (DSNs) felt that the overall quality of iBGStar was better than other BGMs.



TV presenter Dominic Littlewood, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teenager, uses iBGStar. He says: “I lead a hectic lifestyle and so keeping an eye on my blood glucose levels is challenging. iBGStar gives me the reassurance of knowing that I can get accurate blood glucose results using my iPhone, which I carry around anyway. The Diabetes Manager App gives me data in a visual way, so it’s easier to understand and I can also add my own notes against my readings. For example, I can record my carbohydrate intake, how much insulin I’ve taken and the amount of exercise I’m doing.”



Diabetes affects 2.9 million in the UK and accurate monitoring of blood glucose levels plays an integral part of diabetes management. Research reveals people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who regularly self-monitor their blood glucose levels can achieve better glycaemic control. If blood sugar levels rise to a dangerous level, it can cause blood vessel damage and can lead to serious complications including heart problems and kidney, nerve and eye damage.



Sarah Johnson, Communications Director at JDRF, a Type 1 diabetes charity commented: “Good blood glucose control is vital to reducing the long term effects of diabetes, but it can be difficult and demanding to achieve. As such we welcome all developments in technology that can help people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes take control of their condition.”



iBGStar also comes with a range of support services including a 24-hour freephone diabetes care line, a comprehensive website, patient support materials, a lifetime meter replacement service and free control solution.



“Sanofi is excited to launch this next generation BGM to help people better manage their diabetes. Our commitment to the needs and desires of people with diabetes is at the core of everything we do. We believe iBGStar is a huge step forward because it harnesses the power of the latest technology to empower people with diabetes to manage their condition on a day-to-day basis” commented Dr Andrew Hockey, Medical Director, Diabetes, Sanofi.



For people with diabetes who do not have an iPhone or iPod touch, Sanofi has also launched BGStar, which is an easy-to-use BGM available free of charge from a healthcare professional. BGStar features a large, backlit screen and a non-slip surface for confident handling and ease-of-use. It is also accompanied by Diabetes Management Software that allows data to be quickly displayed and managed.



For further information and support, please visit www.diabetesmatters.co.uk or Freephone 08000 35 25 25 (24/7 Sanofi Diabetes Care Line).

Boots pharmacist Angela Chalmers with JDRF Chairman Steve Hitchins at the launch event.

Additional information about the iBGStar

iBGStar is designed for ease and simplicity; key features include: large digits, hypo and hyper alerts, only a small blood sample required (0.5μL), 6-second test time and easy mealtime tagging.



iBGStar allows users to view and analyse reliable information. Using the technology built into the iPhone or iPod touch this information can be shared with the user’s healthcare professional while on-the-go, to help them make better-informed diabetes-related decisions together.



iBGStar Diabetes Manager App tracks additional diabetes information and allows users and their healthcare professional to analyse trends and variations. The App also allows users to input specific notes against the readings, e.g. their carbohydrate intake, their insulin taken, their exercise or other factors that may help them understand their results.



There are three data-viewing options available with iBGStar Diabetes Manager App:

• Trend Chart, Log Book, and Statistics. These data management tools display blood glucose results in a meaningful way to identify patterns and trends to assist in the management of diabetes.

o The Log Book provides an at-a-glance view of glucose readings.

o The statistics page displays averages, standard deviation, and total tests for glucose readings.

o The trend chart plots glucose readings over time.



Single-point support services for all diabetes questions (i.e. insulin pens, blood glucose meters and iBGStar Diabetes Manager App) gives users the confidence that they have the full support of the diabetes experts with them.


iBGStar has a recommended retail price of £48.00 including vat.


About Sanofi Diabetes

Sanofi strives to help people manage the complex challenge of diabetes by delivering innovative, integrated and personalised solutions. Driven by valuable insights that come from listening to and engaging with people living with diabetes, the Company is forming partnerships to offer diagnostics, therapies, services, and devices. Sanofi markets both injectable and oral medications for people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Investigational compounds in the pipeline include an injectable GLP-1 agonist being studied as a single agent, in combination with basal insulin, and/or in combination with oral antidiabetic agents.


About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global and diversified healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, rare diseases, consumer healthcare, emerging markets and animal health. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).