The world’s first mobile-based system for diabetes management, developed by UK company Cellnovo, has received CE Mark approval for sale in the EU.

The innovative Cellnovo system (pictured) combines an insulin patch pump with a touch-screen mobile handset that wirelessly transmits real-time patient data to a web-based portal, enabling patients to keep track of their blood glucose control without needing to keep a diary.

The integration of medication delivery and monitoring technologies, completing the circle of type 1 diabetes control, is strengthened by Cellnovo’s recent agreement with US diabetes monitoring specialist LifeScan.

The successful OneTouch monitoring technology from LifeScan will be incorporated into the Cellnovo system, enabling that a very rapid fingerprick test can be used to generate readings.

The mobile handset is similar to the iPhone, while the patch pump is the smallest and most accurate on the market.

“Cellnovo has created the first insulin pump that combines form with function, essential qualities in a device that patients have to interact with 24/7,” said Dr. Pratik Choudhary, Clinical Lecturer in Diabetes at King’s College London.

Irl B. Hirsch, Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA, commented: “Cellnovo has combined advanced mobile and medical technology, which may create a paradigm shift in diabetes care.”

William McKeon, CEO of Cellnovo, described the CE Mark approval as “Cellnovo’s first step in a journey to bring this mobile diabetes management system to the world”.

Based in London, Cellnovo is a mobile healthcare company that specialises in diabetes management.

Companies developing technologies for mobile diabetes management and tissue expansion in reconstructive surgery were among the UK bioscience firms whose achievements were celebrated at the OBN Annual Bioscience Awards 2011.

OBN (Oxfordshire Bioscience Network), which supports biotech and medtech companies in Oxford and South-East England, presented the Awards at Pembroke College, Oxford.

This year’s Annual Bioscience Awards highlighted the achievements of the UK’s bioscience sector in raising funds and achieving innovation in the current adverse business climate. This year's Awards had a particular focus on the achievements of the nominees in the current difficult business environment.

CellNovo won the Best MedTech Fundraiser award for successfully raising £30 million to advance its mobile-based diabetes management system and sell it to markets worldwide.

The Best Emerging Medtech award went to Oxtexs, whose anisotropic self-inflating tissue expanders are used in reconstructive plastic surgery. The devices enable surgeons to accurately control the direction, timing and rate of their expansion in the body, reducing the risk of soft tissue damage.

Dr Jon Rees, Ceo of OBN, said: “It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to celebrate the real business successes being delivered by our member companies. The winners highlight the ongoing strengths of the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Oxford, Cambridge and London bioclusters and the impact science-based companies are having across a range of healthcare areas.”

OBN is a not-for-profit business network that supports medtech and biotech companies in South-East England and the rest of the UK, and hosts an annual biopartnering and investment conference, BioTrinity.

  CellNovo

  Oxtexs

UK company Cellnovo, supplier of the first mobile-based system for diabetes management, has formed a global technology alliance with US diabetes monitoring specialist LifeScan.

Under the agreement, Cellnovo will integrate LifeScan’s successful OneTouch blood glucose monitoring technology into its mobile diabetes management system.

The innovative Cellnovo system combines an insulin patch pump with a touch-screen mobile handset (pictured) that wirelessly transmits real-time patient data to a web-based portal, enabling patients to keep track of their blood glucose control without needing to keep a diary.

Dr. David Kerr, Consultant Physician and Diabetologist at the Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, commented at the launch of the system: “It is clear that new technologies for diabetes care, such as Cellnovo’s mobile health solution, are going to forever change the way we practise medicine and more effectively manage diabetes long into the future.”

The integration of LifeSpan’s monitoring technology ensures that a very rapid fingerprick test can be used to generate readings.

“We wanted superb blood glucose monitoring technology inside our mobile handset, and LifeScan is a market leader,” said William McKeon, CEO of Cellnovo. “Through our partnership with LifeScan, our combined technologies will advance care through connectivity.”

Cellnovo is based in London.