CVGR & Eli Lilly News
biz.yahoo.com
Covalent Group Inc.'s Subsidiary, Covalent Research Alliance, and Eli Lilly and Co. Announce Contract to Develop Interactive Diabetes Management Programs
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Virtual HouseCall(TM) Empowers Patients to Better Manage Diabetes
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Covalent Group, Inc.'s subsidiary, Covalent Research Alliance, and Eli Lilly and Company announced a contract to develop and market an interactive self-care program for diabetes management. This program, which will be funded by Lilly, will use Covalent's Virtual HouseCall(TM) technology and generate both product development and transaction-based revenues.
``With this unique technology we are creating novel ways to improve outcomes and provide cost-effective care by communicating directly with individuals in their homes. This initial program when proven successful can lead to a larger program with a significantly greater patient base.''
Mr. LaMont continued, ``This is the first in a series of 'next-generation'outcomes-focused programs under joint development by Covalent Research Alliance and Eli Lilly and Company. Additionally, the companies are exploring together disease treatment and product support programs for other therapeutic areas with potentially large patient populations.''
Over 16 million Americans currently suffer from diabetes, and the number is growing rapidly. Worldwide, 125 million people have diabetes, and the number is expected to reach 300 million within the next 25 years. The annual cost of diabetes in the United States is estimated at 100 billion dollars. The human toll in terms of complications such as blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, and cardiovascular disease is beyond measure.
The demand for cost-effective approaches to improving diabetes self-management will accelerate rapidly in the years ahead with pressure from government and regulatory agencies, MCOs, employers, health care providers, and the public all fueling this demand.
Studies show that many, if not all of the complications can be slowed or even prevented by better management. Improved blood sugar control dramatically reduces the personal and financial burden of diabetes. While improved diabetes management by health care providers is essential, the fact remains that at least 99% or diabetes treatment is self care.
In recent months a Medicare bill mandating diabetes education and blood glucose monitoring supplies was passed by the Congress and twenty-three states have passed similar legislation, most within the past year.
Lilly is a global research-based pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., that is dedicated to creating and delivering innovative pharmaceutical-based health care solutions that enable people to live longer, healthier and more active lives. Endocrine diseases are one of five therapeutic areas in which the company is focusing its efforts. |
