DUBLIN and SAN FRANCISCO - Dec. 7, 2016 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), the global leader in medical technology, and Fitbit (NYSE: FIT), the leader in the connected health and fitness market,...
DUBLIN and SAN FRANCISCO - Dec. 7, 2016 - Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), the global leader in medical technology, and Fitbit (NYSE: FIT), the leader in the connected health and fitness market, announced a partnership to integrate health and activity tracking for patients living with diabetes and their physicians and care teams. The iPro(TM)2 myLog mobile app will allow patients living with type 2 diabetes to see their glucose levels and physical activity data in one streamlined application. The new integration and partnership brings together Medtronic's sophisticated medical technology with the convenience of automatic activity tracking from Fitbit, which provides meaningful insights into how exercise impacts glucose levels for more effective diabetes care management.
"We believe monitoring glucose is a critical element in the management of diabetes and therefore, glucose should be included among other vital signs. As such, it has never been more important to increase the collaboration between healthcare and technology to simplify daily diabetes management for the 29 million patients living with type 2 diabetes in the United States," said Laura Stoltenberg, vice president and general manager of Non-Intensive Diabetes Therapies at Medtronic. "By creating a connection between physical activity and glucose levels, our iPro2 myLog mobile app solution provides new tools and insights, so that physicians can optimize therapy and patients can better understand how to manage their diabetes. By helping people with diabetes implement lasting lifestyle changes, this partnership underscores our commitment to transforming diabetes care, together, for greater freedom and better health."
Maintaining and tracking glucose levels is critical to effectively managing diabetes. For people living with type 2 diabetes, understanding how exercise affects glucose levels is a critical element to proper glucose management and long-term health. Additionally, many patients are manually tracking and recording their physical activity, requiring them to recall and communicate that information to their physician from memory. The iPro2 myLog mobile app will allow type 2 diabetes patients to easily combine data generated by their Fitbit activity tracker and Medtronic's iPro2 professional CGM system, eliminating the need to enter physical activity data manually, and providing a clear understanding of how exercise impacts glucose levels. MyLog will simplify the sharing of information with a patient's healthcare team, facilitating productive discussions about care and the benefits of exercise on diabetes management.
"We believe the integration of wearable technology with professional diagnostic tools can provide a more accurate and actionable view of a patient's physical activity," said Adam Pellegrini, vice president of Digital Health for Fitbit. "By partnering with Medtronic, we are able to bring the power of Fitbit's automatic activity tracking together with continuous glucose monitoring, allowing patients and providers to have a more informed conversation."
About the iPro2 System
Like heart monitors and other clinical trackers, the iPro2 Professional CGM system records a patient's glucose levels 24 hours a day for up to six days. Used intermittently, the iPro2 system provides physicians and the health care team with insights into how the nutrition plan, medication regimen and daily activities affect glucose levels of people with diabetes, enabling them to know more about their patients' glucose profile in less time and helping them to make more informed decisions regarding diabetes management. Sharing advanced insights enables patients to understand the relationship between their glucose levels and lifestyle choices. In addition, the iPro2 system delivers decision support for diabetes care providers through an algorithm-based, one-page Pattern Snapshot report that enhances their ability to quickly identify and address key problem areas.
About myLog
The iPro2 myLog mobile app displays glucose and sensor data captured by Medtronic's iPro2 CGM device and can integrate physical activity data collected from a patient's Fitbit activity tracker. The integration of these sets of data means that patients prescribed Medtronic's iPro2 CGM system using myLog mobile app and a Fitbit device will no longer need to use a paper log sheet to manually record daily activity related to glucose readings, medication adherence, diet and exercise. This provides established and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and their physicians with a more comprehensive look at how certain behaviors, such as exercise and diet choices, affect glucose levels during physician supervised six-day diagnostic periods. Results can inform provider's therapy and lifestyle recommendations that can lead to improved glucose control and educate patients on how certain behaviors can cause hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic episodes.
MyLog is currently available for Android and iOS smartphones for patients undergoing evaluation with Medtronic's iPro2 professional CGM system.
About Fitbit, Inc. (www.fitbit.com)
Fitbit helps people lead healthier, more active lives by empowering them with data, inspiration and guidance to reach their goals. As the leader in the connected health and fitness category, Fitbit designs products and experiences that track everyday health and fitness. Fitbit's diverse line of award-winning products includes Fitbit Surge®, Fitbit Blaze(TM), Fitbit Charge 2(TM), Fitbit Charge HR(TM), Alta(TM), Fitbit Charge(TM), Fitbit Flex 2(TM), Fitbit Flex®, Fitbit One®, and Fitbit Zip® activity trackers, as well as the Aria® Wi-Fi Smart Scale. Fitbit products are carried in 54,000 retail stores and in 64 countries around the globe. Fitbit Group Health uses the power of the Fitbit activity trackers, software, and services to deliver innovative solutions for corporate wellness, weight management, insurance and clinical research.
Fitbit and the Fitbit logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fitbit, Inc. in the US and other countries. Additional Fitbit trademarks can be found at www.fitbit.com/legal/trademark-list. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About the Diabetes Group at Medtronic (www.medtronicdiabetes.com)
Medtronic is working together with the global community to change the way people manage diabetes. The company aims to transform diabetes care by expanding access, integrating care and improving outcomes, so people living with diabetes can enjoy greater freedom and better health.
About Medtronic
Medtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 88,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in approximately 160 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
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Contacts:
Francesca DeMartino
Public Relations
Medtronic plc
+1-818-576-5014
Ryan Weispfenning
Investor Relations
Medtronic plc
+1-763-505-4626
Elizabeth Pietrzak
Public Relations
Fitbit
+1-415-941-0037