Healthrageous, United BioSource And Boehringer Ingelheim Launch SMART Digital Diabetes Study

BOSTON and INGELHEIM, Germany, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthrageous, Inc., a digital health management company, and Boehringer Ingelheim, announced today that Healthrageous has launched the SMART Study together with United BioSource Corporation (UBC) to evaluate a digital technology enabled self-management solution to potentially improve the health status of people with Type 2 diabetes. The goal of the solution is to leverage technology in a way that makes the personalized journey of self-managing diabetes easier for patients to self-manage their disease.

Through this Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research project, adults who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for at least six months will have access to Healthrageous' digital diabetes self-management program. The web and smartphone delivered program will include a personalized action plan with health behavior improvement goals, a wireless glucose meter transmitting data to clinical monitors, as well as HbA1c at-home test kits. By combining medical claims data, this collaboration will allow an evaluation of the impact a digital diabetes platform could have on medical and pharmaceutical costs, clinical care, consumer behavior modification and device and self-reported biometric health measures.  

UBC will identify and help manage the recruitment of participants from nearly a dozen large U.S. employers for the study.

"Through a truly innovative, patient-centric design, this study will allow us to collect and integrate patient-reported data, biometric data and claims data in order to generate new insights into health behaviors, outcomes and cost utilization," said Abbe Steel, Vice President, Patient & Physician Services, UBC.    

"Innovations in machine learning and technology offer the opportunity to create and deliver a unique experience for each person with Type 2 diabetes," said Rick Lee, President and CEO, Healthrageous. "We are delighted to be working with Boehringer Ingelheim and UBC on this first-of-its-kind evaluation of the promise that digital technology holds in stemming the Type 2 diabetes epidemic."

"Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to innovation in diabetes treatment and strives for solutions that offer a 'beyond pill' approach in health care," said Klaus Wilgenbus, SVP, PM, Business Development, Licensing & Strategy at Boehringer Ingelheim. "As part of our ongoing collaboration with Healthrageous, this project adds nicely to our goal to provide and develop solutions for patients and their families that contribute to a more holistic way of diabetes treatment."

About Healthrageous
Healthrageous, Inc. is an Accountable Health company that supports individual journeys to prevent and self-manage chronic health conditions via the web and a mobile app. It achieves superior engagement through its proprietary platform that incorporates personalized goal setting, health journey maps with gaming dynamics, timely biometric feedback and interactive digital coaching. The digital coach leverages multiple tools such as inspirational messages, recognition and incentives, challenges, social networking, trackers and reminders, and interactive educational content.

The company's solutions are based on technologies developed at the Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, founded by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, teaching affiliates of Harvard Medical School. Connect: www.healthrageous.com, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About UBC
United BioSource Corporation (UBC), a subsidiary of Express Scripts Holding Company, leads the market in providing integrated, comprehensive clinical, safety, and commercialization services.  Working with Express Scripts' specialty pharmacy and specialty distribution organizations, UBC is uniquely positioned to seamlessly integrate best-in-class services throughout the lifecycle of a product.

UBC brings together renowned scientific research and operations experts with leading-edge technologies, allowing for the best patient and healthcare provider experience.

Comprehensive, end-to-end services cover product and patient population characterization during development and market entry, as well as a focus on the patient experience, safety, and adherence. For more information, visit www.ubc.com or follow @UBCPharma on Twitter.

About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates in 50 countries and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavors.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about €14.2 billion. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales. For more information, go to www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

SOURCE Healthrageous, Inc.