Posted by Al Gordon on November 29, 1997 at 20:28:18:
In Reply to: Re: CYGNUS TEST RESULTS posted by tim michalak on November 29, 1997 at 10:12:44:
Here are my personal views on the Cygnus GlucoWatch test results as reported in this press release:
1. If it worked as we all hope, I would buy it in a flash. It would wonderful to know when my blood glucose is too high or too low (especially when downhill skiing or sleeping). For children, it would represent a big step toward living more safely with diabetes.
2. As well as increasing safety, a device like the Cygnus GlucoWatch would likely improve general glycemic control, resulting in fewer complications.
3. There is a big step between a blood glucose meter that is read by a human being, and a meter that is reliable enough for controlling a continuous insulin pump. For example, if I were to read that my blood glucose is 300 just before supper after exercising for 2 hours, I would not immediately inject a bolus of insulin. I would probably take another test using a conventional meter to be sure that the reading was accurate. The odd bad reading is not dangerous as long as a human is in the loop. However, a wrong glucose reading in an automatic system could prove fatal.
4. I do not believe that funding the Cygnus GlucoWatch will drain any money away from more promising cure research, UNLESS the money comes from organizations such as JDF. This is exactly the type of product that the private sector will be happy to fund, and it does not need any help from JDF or other agencies. The proof of this is the ten of millions that have already gone into the Diasensor and GlucoWatch products. A product such as the Cygnus GlucoWatch is a huge annuity business for the manufacturer, whereas a cure is not likely ever to be so. It is CURE research that needs JDF and government funding, not a non-invasive glucose meter.
5. The timing of the 2 Cygnus press releases is interesting. On November 25, at 12:39 PM, Cygnus presented the good news on the GlucoWatch test results. Less than 2 hours later, Cygnus issued a press release about a public offering of up to $75 million.
6. In summary, I am pleased about the GlucoWatch test results, and hope that they translate into a marketable product very quickly. However, government or charitable funding should not be part of the process -- let the private sector fund the GlucoWatch and similar devices. I believe that, given proper funding, islet xenotransplantation will render obsolete all such devices.
Al