A milestone for the treatment of diabetes mellitus
Press release
EU – Artificial Pancreas System, AP(at)home, Research Project
A milestone for the treatment of diabetes mellitus
Automated glucose measurement and insulin dosing via just one entry point (single-port), administered by diabetic patients at home: that is the objective of the “AP@home” EU research project. A small innovative device is being prepared for the market as a kind of “artificial pancreas”. Seven universities and five companies from the European area are taking part in the project, including the Swiss MedTech company, Sensile Medical AG, which has a central function: it is developing the complete single-port-system for measuring glucose concentration and administering insulin, along with the integration of the system.
Haegendorf (Switzerland), August 19, 2010 - February 2010 saw the start of the Artificial Pancreas System “AP@home” research project, funded by the European Commission (EC). Its objective is to develop a small device within four years, which automatically measures glucose level in the tissues and administers the correct insulin dose at the same time, via one entry point on the skin (single-port). The project is being funded through the 7th European supporting programme with around 10.5 million €. The Profil Institut für Stoffwechselforschung GmbH (metabolism research institute) in Neuss and the Medical Academic Center in Amsterdam are responsible for the overall project management.
Technical innovation enables an “artificial pancreas”
Today, most artificial pancreas (AP) activities worldwide are based on the “dual-port-system”: Insulin pumps and glucose measuring devices already on the market will be combined into a dual port system for research purposes and to gain a better understanding of the system. The algorithms and the precision of the sensors will be optimised and a hypoglycaemia alarm will be added.
As a true milestone in the treatment of diabetes, “AP(at)home” is targeting a small single-port device, which automatically carries out continuous glucose measurement and the required insulin dose via a single entry point. The skin therefore only has to be punctured once for both functions. This device, which has to be as compact as possible, will be given to patients to take home with them. This medical device then takes over the dosing of insulin therapy as a kind of “artificial pancreas”. Such a small device simplifies the treatment of diabetes considerably, increases the quality of life of diabetes patients and reduces secondary diseases and thus health costs.
Important Swiss involvement in the EU project
The most important components of the device intended as an “artificial pancreas” are a glucose sensor for continuous measurement of glucose level in the tissues, a micro-pump for controlled insulin dosing and a miniature computer for analysing measurement data.
Seven European universities and five companies in the field of metabolism research, product design, diabetes, R&D, computer technology and engineering, are participating in the EU Artificial Pancreas System, AP(at)home, research project. Among the partners, the Swiss MedTech company, Sensile Medical AG which, as an industrial partner, is contributing the central, innovative technology of the single-port-system.
Sensile Medical has specialised in the areas of glucose measurement and insulin administration. The contribution of the Medtech company from Hägendorf in Switzerland involves the development of the entire single-port-system: the so-called intelligent synthetic material developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, the glucose measurement system to determine the glucose concentration, the micro-pump for precise administration of the insulin and the system integration.
The company already has a broad and extensive IP portfolio in the area of single-port-AP -systems. With six years’ experience in the research and development of medical micro-technologies in the field of diabetes mellitus, the company is making a significant contribution to the EU AP(at)home project. In return, the Swiss Medtech company benefits from further development of the control algorithms for AP systems and their clinical validation.
Contact
Sensile Medical AG
Derek Brandt, CEO
Fabrikstrasse 10,
4614 Haegendorf
Switzerland
Tel. +41 62 209 71 00, Fax +41 62 209 71 01
info(at)sensile-medical.com
www.sensile-medical.com
Sensile Medical AG, with its headquarters in Haegendorf (Switzerland) was founded in 2004 and currently employs 30 staff. It specialises in the research and development of medical nanolitre-based technologies, with core competences in the field of diabetes.
www.sensile-medical.com
AP(at)home: The project members are the Universities of Amsterdam, Cambridge, Padua, Pavia, Montpellier, Medical University of Graz, EPF Lausanne, Profil Institut für Stoffwechselforschung GmbH, Triteq Ltd, Sensile Medical AG, STMicroelectronics and 4a engineering GmbH.