JDRF to develop insulin pump delivery with Becton, Dickinson and Co.

NEW YORK A diabetes research organization and a medical technology company will collaborate to enhance the use of insulin pumps in patients with Type 1 diabetes.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation plans to support research and development by Becton, Dickinson and Co. of new products that deliver insulin to patients via a pump rather than through infusion or a patch-pump configuration. Research has indicated that enhancements to pump therapy could improve convenience and minimize pain, site infections, kinking and occlusions.

“Better control means better health outcomes for people with diabetes,” JDRF president and CEO Alan Lewis said. “Constantly improving the technological tools to dispense insulin will lead to greater adoption of these methods and healthier lives. That’s why we view this collaboration with BD as vital to our goal to provide a bridge to the cure for Type 1 diabetes.”

The JDRF said it would invest $4.3 million in milestone-based financial support over the next few years for the projects.