Download Debiotech secures from Valtronic the exclusive supply for the

Debiotech secures from Valtronic the exclusive
supply for the electronic Controller unit
of the JewelPump
(February 21, 2013)
Lausanne and Les Charbonnières, Switzerland, February 21, 2013 Both
Swiss companies, Debiotech SA and Valtronic SA, announced today that they
have entered into an exclusive partnership agreement regarding the
manufacturing of the electronic Controller unit for Debiotech's novel insulin
"JewelPUMP". Representing the most advanced use of microfluidic MEMS
(Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology in diabetes treatment, the
watertight pump can be mounted on a disposable skin patch to provide
continuous insulin infusion and is controlled by a dedicated smartphone device
incorporating a BGM (blood-glucose meter), thus enabling substantial
improvements in the treatment efficiency and the quality of life of diabetic
patients.
The highly miniaturized disposable insulin pump combines Debiotech's
expertise in insulin delivery systems with Valtronic's experience in
manufacturing high-quality and ultra-miniaturized electronic devices.
"The collaboration with Valtronic in Switzerland and in the US is an integral part
of our objective to provide the best product manufactured by the best
companies in the world," said Dr. Frédéric Neftel, President and CEO of
Debiotech. "We are now engaged in a large scale production effort to make
sure the JewelPUMP will be made available to every diabetic patient in the
soonest possible time to ensure a better Quality of Life, while also improving
reliability and performance of insulin delivery with a pump."
"The collaboration with Debiotech on the JewelPUMP fits our strategy extremely
well of participating in the most exciting medical device products, while
contributing to patient safety and therapeutic efficacy," says Martin
Zimmermann, President and CEO of Valtronic. "At Valtronic we strive to bring
our expertise to highly innovative projects like the JewelPUMP and ensure a full
commitment and support to our Partner. "
"Since one year, we have enjoyed an outstanding work together with Valtronic
to achieve the goal of making the JewelPUMP a reality for the diabetes
community and this Agreement represents the natural outcome of such
successful collaboration," says Laurent-Dominique Piveteau, Business
Development Director at Debiotech.
“The development of the partnership with Debiotech and the continuous support
to achieve the level of quality required to manufacture the JewelPUMP is an
example of success for Valtronic and we are now proud to prepare for the
product market launch,” says Alberto Bottà, Assistant Vice President Principal
client Advisor at Valtronic.
The JewelPUMP is smaller, thinner and lighter than currently available insulin
pumps, while incorporating double the amount of insulin (5mL), and is a nearly
invisibly skin patch which can be worn for a 7-day treatment. It is directly
controlled by the patient from a dedicated cell-phone remote control device,
which also serves as a telephone and a BGM (Blood Glucose Meter) on a
secured Androïd platform.
The JewelPUMP incorporates a Microfluidic technology manufactured by ST
Microelectronics, the world leading MEMS manufacturing company, to provide
better control of the administered insulin doses, while detecting potential
malfunctions of the pump to further protect the patient. The JewelPUMP is
composed of a disposable pump-reservoir unit and an electronic Controller unit
that can be used for up to two years. The Controller unit that will be
manufactured by Valtronic integrates a number of functionalities, both for the
operation of the pump unit and the highly secured communication with the
remote smartphone device, as well as a large number of sensors and actuators
(e.g. vibrator and acoustic alarm, temperature sensor, humidity sensor,
accelerometer and cannula detector).
During the ATTD Congress in Paris, starting on February 27th, Debiotech will
demonstrate the commercial version of the Jewel Pump which is currently on
the way to its CE marking.
About Debiotech
Debiotech has specialized, for over twenty years, in the research and
development of innovative medical devices in the field of implantable and
external drug delivery systems for the treatment of severe diseases such as
diabetes, renal failure, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The Company's
products are based on micromechanics and nanotechnologies as well as novel
technologies. Debiotech has numerous exclusive license agreements with
leading companies in the medical device and pharmaceutical fields and holds
over 500 patents worldwide. Further information on Debiotech can be found at
www.debiotech.com and specific information on the JewelPUMP at
www.jewelpump.com
About Valtronic
Valtronic is an advanced technology “Mechatronics” manufacturing solution
company. We develop and produce complete and valuable integrated electronic
and mechanical products. Among Valtronic’s customers are the leading global
suppliers of medical devices and implants, diagnostic equipment and sensitive
aerospace and industrial companies. For over 30 years, Valtronic has helped
hundreds of companies to launch thousands of Class II & III medical devices
and advanced miniaturized electronic assemblies from our facilities worldwide.
Further information on Valtronic can be found at www.valtronic.com
Note for editors
Note for editors
• MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology exploits the
mechanical as well as the electrical properties of silicon. In conventional
silicon chips, electrons move within the static silicon. However, silicon also
has several important mechanical properties: it is stronger than steel yet has
a high elasticity. The techniques that are used to build silicon transistors can
also be adapted to build microscopic silicon structures such as cantilevers,
springs and even gears that are capable of physical movement, allowing the
manufacture of highly miniaturized sensors and actuators, using nearly the
same semiconductor manufacturing technology that has produced
affordable computers, communication equipment and automotive
electronics.
• There are almost 280 million people affected by diabetes worldwide and the
number is expected to grow to 350 million over the next decade due to
population growth, aging and life style. Without proper treatment, diabetes
can lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage
and ultimately death. Diabetes is a leading cause of death in most
developed countries. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes
occurs most often in children or young adults and accounts for 5-10% of the
diagnosed diabetes patient population. It is characterized by loss of the
insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas,
leading to a deficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes,
accounts for 90-95% of diagnosed diabetes cases worldwide, typically
developing in middle-aged adults. It is characterized differently due to insulin
resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity, combined with relatively reduced
insulin secretion. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is growing at a faster
rate than that of type 1 across the developed countries as it is related to the
increase in obesity and aging demographic profile.
• There are today almost 500,000 diabetic patients using insulin pumps in the
US, which represents almost 25% of diabetic Type 1 patients. In the next 5
years, the pump market is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 13% and
by 2015 about 40% of diabetic type 1 patients may benefit from pump
therapy in the US. It is also estimated that about a third of diabetic Type 2
patients may also be treated using a pump.
Press Contacts:
Laurent-Dominique Piveteau
Business Development Manager
Debiotech SA
Phone: +41-21-623-60-00
Fax: +41-21-623-60-01 email:
Email: [email protected]
Alberto Bottà
Assistant VP, Principal Client Advisor
Valtronic SA
Phone: +41-21-841-0111
Fax:+41-21-841-0222
Email: [email protected]