EIDIA, a diagnostics subsidiary of Eisai Co., Ltd. will launch LIFE CHECK, a self-monitoring blood glucose meter manufactured by Osaka-based Gunze Limited, on January 27.

LIFE CHECK is a personal self-monitoring blood glucose meter with which diabetes patients can monitor their own blood glucose level by simply inserting a dedicated sensor known as the LIFE CHECK SENSOR into the meter. The meter was developed as a next-generation model of the blood glucose monitor G-CHECK currently manufactured by Gunze and marketed by EIDIA. While Gunze received approval to manufacture and market LIFE CHECK in August 2011, the system will be distributed and marketed by EIDIA and co-promoted by Eisai.

The LIFE CHECK meter employs a colour liquid crystal screen that displays step-by-step operational instructions and easy-to-read graphs of measured data. After measurement, the dedicated sensor can be easily and safely removed from the meter with the push of a button without the patient having to touch the part to which their blood has been applied. The meter has been specially designed for ease-of-use by elderly diabetes patients. The sensor is easily inserted into the meter and has been designed to ensure that drops of blood from pierced fingertips can be easily applied. It can even be used simply by diabetes patients who experience numbness and trembling in their hands and fingers.

Diabetes is a disease that causes an inability to produce insulin or abnormal insulin sensitivity, with patients being unable to control the amount of glucose in their blood (blood glucose level). In Japan, the number of patients with the disease has been increasing every year in accordance with changes in lifestyles and social environments. Eisai, EIDIA and Gunze seek to make further contributions to increase the benefits provided to patients living with diabetes.