Sanofi-Aventis Partners with AgaMatrix on Diabetes Technology Front

Sanofi-aventis, makers of Lantus long-acting insulin and Apidra rapid-acting insulin, has teamed up with AgaMatrix, which manufacturers the WaveSense brand of blood glucose meters (KeyNote, Presto, and Jazz). AgaMatrix will continue to market WaveSense meters, but additionally the two companies will work together to design new products for diabetes management. The companies have not yet disclosed the nature of their joint products; we assume many of the ideas relate to having a blood glucose monitor around to better dose insulin. Or, perhaps a joint insulin pen and blood glucose monitor could somehow be built. This would mean one less piece of equipment for pen users to carry around, something any insulin user would surely appreciate. Management at sanofi-aventis said in a recent report that they expected the first blood glucose meter(s) jointly developed with AgaMatrix to be available sometime between July and December of 2010. Notably, they said the product(s) would specifically help patients in the dosing of Lantus. --NW