Roche's diabetes business has acquired distribution rights to an implantable long-term continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system.

It will commercialise Senseonics' Eversense CGM system, selling the implant to diabetes patients and clinics in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, with an options to expand the deal to further countries and products in the future.

The Eversense combines a small sensor that works for us to 90 days, a wearable and removable smart transmitter and mobile application, and seeks to replace the weekly CGM systems currently on the market.

The Eversense sensor is inserted below the patient's skin and uses flurorescence sensing technology to communicate with the smart transmitter, which then wirelessly sends blood glucose levels to the mobile app.

Tim Goodnow, CEO and president of Senseonics, said: “Together with Roche's market presence, and extensive sales and support network, we aim to deliver a truly innovative continuous, long-term glucose monitoring solution to millions of people with diabetes.”

Goodnow's company will retain responsibility for product development, regulatory approval, quality management, and manufacturing while Roche will take on sales, marketing, customer support and distribution activities in the agreement's territories.

The Maryland, US-based medical technology company's deal with Roche follows its agreement with Rubin Medical, which has the rights to market the Eversense system in Sweden, and follows soon after a tie-up between Medtronic and Qualcomm for a new range of diabetes sensors.

Meanwhile, Senseonics last month won a European Kitemark for the Eversense system, confirming it meets the European Commission's Essential Requirements of the Active Implantable Medical Device Directive.

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