The Accu-Chek® Mobile: the world's first and only strip-free testing device helps bridge gap between current and recommended levels of blood glucose monitoring

Today, Roche launches the world's first and only strip-free blood glucose monitoring system in the UK. The Accu-Chek® Mobile which is a groundbreaking innovation for Roche and the Diabetes Care world in general, enables smooth, discreet and accurate testing anytime and anywhere without the need for strips, thus overcoming many of the barriers for regular testing.

Comprehensive features for an interlocking solution

Aimed at high frequency testers who lead a busy life and, based on a unique cassette concept which allows for 50 tests on a continuous tape, the Accu-Chek Mobile provides testing in four simple steps with no handling of single test strips. The system also provides six lancets in a drum with an integrated lancing device, making the handling of single lancets obsolete.

Even people with diabetes on insulin therapy sometimes struggle with self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). About 40% of patients on fixed or flexible insulin therapy measure their blood glucose less often than recommended, stating reasons such as the lack of time . "Another prime reason preventing people with diabetes from testing their own blood glucose levels are issues surrounding the handling of test strips," explains Dr. Iain Cranston, Consultant Physician at the Diabetes/Endocrine Specialist Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. These seemingly insignificant factors are some of today's biggest barriers when it comes to SMBG. "Because SMBG can be difficult to align with their daily routines, patients risk both acute (hypoglycaemia) and chronic (vascular) complications by not testing as and when their individual insulin therapy strategy demands, in favour of testing only when it is convenient to do so. We should therefore encourage any development that makes testing easier to undertake during a busy schedule" Dr. Cranston concluded.

Brett Lewis, Director of Diabetes Care at Roche said, "Today's busy lifestyles often pose a challenge for people living with diabetes. We are delighted by the interim results of a recent Patient Preference Survey conducted in the UK by Roche showing that 74% agree that the Accu-Chek Mobile system makes it easier to do the recommended tests. It is clear our revolutionary cassette-based system sets new standards in blood glucose testing and eliminates worry over issues such as waste disposal. Accu-Chek Mobile's comprehensive features with five second test time, only 0.3 µl blood volume and most importantly the strip-free mode of operation makes it a clear step forward in diabetes care."

The Accu-Chek Mobile is being launched exclusively into Boots where it will retail at a price of £49.99.

For further information on Accu-Chek Mobile visit www.accu-chek.co.uk/stripfreemobile.

About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2009, Roche had over 80'000 employees worldwide and invested almost 10 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 49.1 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information: www.roche.com.

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