Eris Lifesciences, Medtronic ink pact for diabetes monitoring

Ahmedabad-based Eris Lifesciences Limited and India Medtronic Pvt Ltd - an Indian arm of Dublin-based Medtronic plc, entered into a collaborative initiative for diabetes monitoring.

Under the agreement, Medtronic will bring its latest USFDA approved 'Guardian Connect' device for real-time evaluation of glucose variability in diabetes patients, while Eris will provide the device at clinics and healthcare delivery units under its patient care initiative.

Although India has one of the highest incidence of diabetes, diagnosis and monitoring remain a challenge.

Guardian Connect comes with built-in mechanisms for sending out alerts predicting high and low blood sugars 10-60 minutes in advance. The alerts pop up on the user’s smartphone (or Apple Watch) as notifications, just like regular text messages.

The device also includes features like remote monitoring alerts via text messages and a web app that can be accessed from any internet-connected device. In case of a juvenile diabetes, a parent could view their child’s CGM data and receive alerts for low and high measurements in real-time.

Describing the collaboration, Madan Krishnan, Managing Director & Vice President, India Medtronic, said, “Guardian Connect is a technological breakthrough that will change the diabetes treatment landscape. It empowers the patient to take control in real-time and the physician to be fully-equipped with data and evidence. In a large country like India, with high incidence of diabetes, we are happy to align with a partner who understands the challenges of diabetes management and has the reach to take our solutions across the country.”

Amit Bakshi, CMD, Eris Lifesciences said, "Technology has emerged as a great enabler in healthcare. While technology is transforming healthcare delivery, on the patient and physician end there is a need to create more awareness of how to use technology and how technology can make managing diabetes easier. Through this initiative, we aim to make patients and physicians adopt newer technologies for better health."