Sanofi and devicemaker Medtronic announced a global strategic alliance in diabetes that focuses on two key priorities: the development of drug-device combinations and delivery of care management services to improve treatment compliance, simplify insulin treatment and help people with diabetes better manage their condition.

Minneapolis-based Medtronic wants to broaden its diabetes offerings, while the Paris-based Sanofi is exploring other diabetes avenues as its leading diabetes drug Lantus has a patent set to expire next year.

Under the agreement, Sanofi will combine its insulin portfolio and drug development expertise with Medtronic's insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring. They will aim to create new drug-device combinations, including those that are reasonably priced, convenient and easy to-use, with a goal to increase the use of therapy and deliver better outcomes, the companies said.

These efforts will improve management of Type 2 diabetes, particularly for people who struggle to control glucose levels, even with multiple daily insulin injections.

Based on the success of the two initial priorities, the companies may explore other areas for potential collaboration, they said. This alliance comes on the heels of a previous Sanofi and Medtronic agreement to serve Type 1 diabetes patients in Europe. — Kellen Owings

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