STMicroelectronics and Debiotech Debut Disposable Insulin Jewel Pump at ADA Congress in US

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and GENEVA, June 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Debiotech and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today announced that they will publicly showcase their novel insulin "Jewel Pump" at the Debiotech stand at the American Diabetes Association 70th Scientific Sessions (June 25-29) in Orlando, Florida.  Representing the most advanced use of microfluidic MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology in diabetes treatment, the tiny device, for which FDA clearance is now pending, can be mounted on a disposable skin patch to provide continuous insulin infusion, enabling substantial improvements in the treatment efficiency and the quality of life of diabetic patients.

The highly miniaturized disposable insulin pump combines Debiotech's expertise in insulin delivery systems with ST's strengths in manufacturing high-volume silicon-based microfluidic devices. The Jewel Pump is smaller, thinner and lighter than currently available insulin pumps and can be worn as a nearly invisible patch on the skin, while providing 4.5 milliliters of insulin, suitable for a 6-day treatment. Microfluidic technology also provides better control of the administered insulin doses, more closely imitating the natural secretion of insulin from the pancreas, while detecting potential malfunctions of the pump to further protect patients. As a disposable device manufactured using high-volume semiconductor processing technologies, the MEMS-based Jewel Pump is also much more affordable, allowing the patient or the healthcare system to avoid the substantial up-front investment typically associated with current pump solutions.

"The collaboration with ST has produced key contributions to the industrialization success of this very innovative MEMS technology for the treatment of diabetes," said Dr. Frederic Neftel, President and CEO of Debiotech. "We are now able to demonstrate a real breakthrough in insulin delivery that combines the highest level of reliability and performance, while enhancing the safety for the patient and improving overall Quality of Life."

Insulin pump therapy, or Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII), is an increasingly attractive alternative to individual insulin injections that must be administered several times a day. With CSII, the patient is connected to a programmable pump including a storage reservoir, from which insulin is infused into the tissue under the skin throughout day and night according to the specific needs of the patient.

"The success of the cooperation with Debiotech to bring their visionary concept to a high performance and affordable commercial product underlines the enormous contribution that semiconductor companies can make in the areas of healthcare and well being," said Benedetto Vigna, Group Vice President and General Manager of ST's MEMS, Sensor and High Performance Analog Division. "Working with partners such as Debiotech, we are able to deploy our world-leading MEMS design and manufacturing strengths to improve the health and well being of millions of people around the world."

During the ADA Congress, Debiotech will demonstrate the commercial version of the Jewel Pump and ST engineers will be on hand to explain the MEMS microfluidics components that have enabled this breakthrough in diabetes management.

About Debiotech

Debiotech has specialized, for twenty years, in the research and development of innovative medical devices in the field of implantable and external drug delivery systems for the treatment of severe diseases such as diabetes, renal failure, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The Company's products are based on micromechanics and nanotechnologies as well as novel technologies. Debiotech has numerous exclusive license agreements with leading companies in the medical device and pharmaceutical fields and holds over 500 patents worldwide. Further information on Debiotech can be found at www.debiotech.com.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications with innovative semiconductor solutions. ST aims to be the undisputed leader in multimedia convergence and power applications leveraging its vast array of technologies, design expertise and combination of intellectual property portfolio, strategic partnerships and manufacturing strength. In 2009, the Company's net revenues were $8.51 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. 

Notes for editors

• MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology exploits the mechanical as well as the electrical properties of silicon. In conventional silicon chips, electrons move within the static silicon. However, silicon also has several important mechanical properties: it is stronger than steel yet has a high elasticity. The techniques that are used to build silicon transistors can also be adapted to build microscopic silicon structures such as cantilevers, springs and even gears that are capable of physical movement, allowing the manufacture of highly miniaturized sensors and activators, using nearly the same semiconductor manufacturing technology that has produced affordable computers, communication equipment and automotive electronics.

• There are almost 280 million people affected by diabetes worldwide and the number is expected to grow to 350 million over the next decade due to population growth, aging and life style. Without proper treatment, diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage and ultimately death. Diabetes is a leading cause of death in most developed countries. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs most often in children or young adults and accounts for 5-10% of the diagnosed diabetes patient population. It is characterized by loss of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, leading to a deficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, accounts for 90-95% of diagnosed diabetes cases worldwide, typically developing in middle-aged adults. It is characterized differently due to insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity, combined with relatively reduced insulin secretion. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is growing at a faster rate than that of type 1 across the developed countries as it is related to the increase in obesity and aging demographic profile.

• There are today almost 500,000 diabetic patients using insulin pumps in the US, which represents almost 25% of diabetic Type 1 patients. In the next 5 years, the pump market is expected to grow at a CAGR of nearly 13% and by 2015 about 40% of diabetic type 1 patients may benefit from pump therapy in the US. It is also estimated that about a third of diabetic Type 2 patients may also be treated using a pump.

• The collaboration with Debiotech is one of many on-going partnerships between ST and experts in various fields of healthcare. Other partnerships include collaborations with Sensimed (glaucoma detection), Mayo Clinic (remote cardiac monitoring) and Veredus Laboratories (molecular diagnostics).

SOURCE STMicroelectronics