BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sanofi-aventis U.S. announced today its long-acting insulin Lantus(R) (insulin glargine [rDNA origin] injection) and rapid-acting insulin Apidra(R) (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin] injection) will be the primary 2009 sponsors of Team Type 1, a team of amateur and professional athletes living with type 1 diabetes, and Lantus(R) will be the primary sponsor of Team Type 2, an amateur cycling team comprised entirely of members with type 2 diabetes. Sanofi-aventis U.S. has been a sponsor of Team Type 1 since 2007.
Team Type 1, founded by Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge, both of whom were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as children, aims to inspire people with diabetes to take a proactive approach to managing their condition by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, monitoring their blood sugar levels, taking their insulin and other diabetes medications as prescribed, and working closely with their healthcare team.
"When Joe and I formed Team Type 1, we wanted to challenge one another to take control of managing our diabetes, while trying to become the best cyclists we possibly could. Since then, our team has surpassed all of our expectations, and in 2009, with the continued support of sanofi-aventis U.S., Team Type 1 will expand its scope and impact further than ever before," said Phil Southerland, founder and chief executive officer of Team Type 1. "The changes we're making this year will bring us even closer to our life-long goal of competing in the Tour de France."
In 2009, Team Type 1 is expanding its roster and fielding five athletic teams: a men's professional cycling team and a women's professional cycling team, both featuring a mixed roster of riders with and without type 1 diabetes; an elite cycling team for the 2009 Race Across America (RAAM) comprised entirely of riders with type 1 diabetes; and a triathlon team whose members all have type 1 diabetes. In addition to its type 1 roster in 2009, Team Type 1 will also launch Team Type 2, a team of amateur cyclists living with type 2 diabetes.
All members of Team Type 1 with diabetes use Lantus(R), Apidra(R), or a combined treatment regimen of both insulins to help control their blood sugar as part of their overall diabetes treatment plan, which includes regular blood sugar monitoring, diet and exercise. All members of Team Type 2 manage their blood sugar through their own personal diabetes treatment plan that includes regular blood sugar monitoring, diet, exercise and diabetes medications as prescribed, which, for some members, may include Lantus(R). Diabetes treatment plans should be individualized, and what works for one person may not work for someone else. Every member of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 with diabetes has worked with his or her healthcare provider to develop an individual diabetes treatment plan, and they encourage other people living with diabetes to work with their healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan that is right for them.
"Effective diabetes management can be very challenging, especially for competitive athletes, and Team Type 1 is able to do this while competing at the highest level of their sport. Their dedication and achievements encourage others living with diabetes, and even those without it, to be proactive about managing their condition," said Angela Moskow, Vice President, Metabolism Marketing, sanofi-aventis U.S. "As the team expands to include more members this year, including people living with type 2 diabetes, sanofi-aventis U.S. is proud to continue its work with Team Type 1, and the newly-developed Team Type 2, to amplify their voice within the diabetes community as well as the general public."
The teams that make up Team Type 1 are comprised of athletes that may not be typical of a patient with diabetes and individual results may vary. Exercise or activity level may change the way your body uses insulin. Check with your healthcare provider before you start an exercise program because your dose may need to be changed. Also remember to discuss hypoglycemia and the need for regular blood sugar monitoring with your doctor.
In addition to their busy racing schedule, members of Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 will participate in educational speaking engagements across the country to spread awareness of diabetes and encourage others with the disease to take an active role toward managing their condition.
Please visit www.Lantus.com for more information about Lantus(R).
Please visit www.Apidra.com for more information about Apidra(R).
About Team Type 1
In 2004, friends and team co-founders Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge set out to prove to themselves and others in the diabetes community that having diabetes doesn't mean you can't achieve your goals. Since then, the team has competed in and twice won the 3,052 mile-long RAAM. In 2008, with the support of a sponsorship from Apidra(R), Team Type 1 fielded two teams: an amateur development level team for the 2008 RAAM comprised of 11 riders, all living with type 1 diabetes, and a professional level racing team featuring a mixed roster of 15 cyclists, including four members with diabetes. In 2009, Team Type 1 is fielding four teams, with a total of 46 athletes (with and without diabetes) competing in professional, amateur level and triathlon competitions.
Please visit www.TeamType1.org for more information about Team Type 1.
About Team Type 2
In 2009, with the support of a sponsorship from Lantus(R), Team Type 2, a team of ten amateur cyclists living with type 2 diabetes, was fielded as a new addition to Team Type 1's network of athletes. Team Type 2's long-term goal is to compete in the RAAM, like the Team Type 1 elite team. To help prepare for RAAM, Team Type 2 will participate in several racing events in 2009, primarily the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure, a national cycling program designed to raise awareness and funding for diabetes.
Please visit www.TeamType2.org for more information about Team Type 2.
About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic, widespread condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin -- the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body for energy. More than 230 million people worldwide are living with the disease, and this number is expected to rise to a staggering 350 million within 20 years. It is estimated that nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, including an estimated 5.7 million who remain undiagnosed.
About Lantus(R)
Lantus(R) is indicated for the treatment of adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes, or adult patients with type 2 diabetes who require basal (long-acting) insulin for the control of hyperglycemia. Lantus(R) is the only 24-hour insulin approved exclusively for use once a day. Insulins have a "peak of action," which refers to the time at which insulin reaches its maximum effect in the body. With Lantus(R), the insulin is released into the bloodstream at a relatively constant rate throughout the day and night; therefore it has no pronounced peak.
About Apidra(R)
Apidra(R) is a rapid-acting insulin that can be administered using an insulin infusion pump, vial and syringe, the OptiClik(R) reusable insulin delivery device, or intravenously under proper medical supervision in a clinical setting. Apidra(R) works fast and offers flexible insulin dosing to help manage mealtime blood sugar levels. It should be administered within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after the start of a meal. Along with exercise, a basal insulin, and a proper meal plan, Apidra(R) is proven to help reduce A1C levels in adults and children (4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes.
Apidra(R) is from the maker of Lantus(R), the number one prescribed insulin.*
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LANTUS(R)
Prescription Lantus(R) is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (6 years and older) with type 1 diabetes who require long-acting insulin for the control of high blood sugar.
DO NOT DILUTE OR MIX LANTUS(R) WITH ANY OTHER INSULIN OR SOLUTION. It will not work as intended, and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be serious. Do not change your insulin without talking with your doctor. The syringe must not contain any other medication or residue. You should not use Lantus(R) if you are allergic to insulin. Lantus(R) is a long-acting insulin you inject just once a day, at the same time each day. You must test your blood sugar levels while using an insulin such as Lantus(R).
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus(R), is hypoglycemia, which may be serious. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions, including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life threatening. Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they can change the way insulin works.
For full prescribing information, please visit www.Lantus.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR APIDRA(R)
Prescription Apidra(R) is for adults with type 2 diabetes or adults and children (4 years and older) with type 1 diabetes to improve blood sugar control. Apidra(R) should normally be used with a longer-acting insulin. Apidra(R) may also be infused subcutaneously by external insulin infusion pumps. Do not use Apidra(R) during a low blood sugar reaction (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to insulin glulisine.
Apidra(R) differs from regular human insulin by its rapid onset and shorter duration of action. When used as a mealtime insulin, Apidra(R) should be given within 15 minutes before or within 20 minutes after starting a meal. Due to the short duration of action of Apidra(R), patients also require a longer-acting insulin or insulin infusion pump therapy. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Tell your doctor about all other medicines and supplements you are taking. Glucose monitoring is recommended for all patients with diabetes.
Possible side effects may include low blood sugar; injection site reactions, such as changes in fat tissue at the injection site; and allergic reactions, such as itching and rash. Less common, but potentially more serious or life-threatening, is generalized allergy to insulin, including anaphylactic reactions.
When used in a pump, do not mix Apidra(R) with any other insulin or liquid. If the pump or infusion set does not work right, you may not receive the right amount of insulin. Hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or ketosis can happen. Problems should be identified and corrected as quickly as possible.
For full prescribing information, please visit www.Apidra.com.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis U.S. is an affiliate of sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to help improve the lives of patients. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE:SNY) .
For more information, www.sanofi-aventis.us or www.sanofi-aventis.com
U.S. Contact:
Carrie Melia
Carrie.melia@sanofi-aventis.com
908-981-6486
US.GLA.09.01.017
* Based on TRx data from IMS Health, National Prescription Audit(TM) (Next Generation Prescription Methodology). Time period from May 2003 to September 2008.
Source: sanofi-aventis
CONTACT: Carrie Melia of sanofi-aventis, +1-908-981-6486,
Carrie.melia@sanofi-aventis.com