FDA clears Roche's Accu-Chek Nano SmartView blood glucose monitoring system

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Accu-Chek® Nano SmartView blood glucose monitoring system.  The new Accu-Chek Nano meter, which is smaller than a standard credit card, employs a large brilliant backlit display and does not require any manual coding or code key for enhanced ease of use.  It also offers improved functions such as customizable test reminders, pre- and postmeal markers and average glucose calculation. The Accu-Chek Nano meter uses Accu-Chek® SmartView test strips and will be available to customers in the first half of 2012.

"We are very excited to bring this latest blood glucose monitoring technology to the United States," said Luc Vierstraete, Global Head of Roche Diabetes Care. "The Accu-Chek Nano meter is the newest advancement in Roche's more than 35-year commitment to bring state-of-the-art innovations to people with diabetes and their caregivers, and continues our promise to enabling optimal diabetes management. This new system will help us to further leverage and enhance our position in this important market."

According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet published by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, more than 25 million people in the US live with diabetes. However, seven million are currently undiagnosed and 1.9 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older in 2010. It is also estimated that 79 million people live with pre-diabetes in the US.

"The Accu-Chek Nano blood glucose meter will appeal to those who prefer a small, discreet meter with maximum performance and is Roche Diabetes Care's latest innovation aimed at enabling diabetes success for our customers and their health care team," said Marc Gibeley, Head of Roche Diabetes Care North America. "It is easy-to-use and will help people with diabetes regularly check their blood glucose levels before making informed therapy and lifestyle adjustments. We look forward to its launch later this year."