Company History
History of Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care
A company history of pioneering spirit is reflected in the influential technological “firsts” that Diabetes Care has brought to healthcare customers around the world.
In 1941, the company, under the name, Miles Laboratories, revolutionized in vitro diagnostics when it launched Clinitest® effervescent urine sugar testing tablets, the first convenient and accurate test to detect the presence of reducing sugar in urine. In 1964, Miles scientists developed Dextrostix, the first dry reagent blood sugar test, which enabled millions of people with diabetes to monitor blood sugar levels quickly and conveniently at home. Through the former Ames® Division, Miles introduced the Ames Reflectance Meter, the first portable blood glucose meter, which evolved into the popular Glucometer brand (now known as Ascensia®) of blood glucose monitoring systems.
Miles had been a member of the Bayer family since 1978 although, due to legal restrictions, was unable to use the parent company name in North America. The 1994 acquisition by Miles Inc. of Sterling Winthrop’s North American over-the-counter drug business returned to Bayer the rights to the Bayer Cross and the Bayer name in North America.
Also in 2002, Diabetes Care, then part of the Diagnostics Division, became a member of the worldwide Bayer HealthCare Group combining the global activities of the Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals divisions. More than 33,000 employees work for Bayer HealthCare worldwide. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales amounting to some 9 billion Euro. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. These products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.
On June 1, 2004, the Diagnostics Division of Bayer HealthCare was divided into two entities - Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care and Bayer HealthCare Diagnostics Division - to accelerate Bayer HealthCare’s concentration on consumer health, and to afford both units greater operational flexibility in their respective markets. Diabetes Care is headquartered in Tarrytown, NY, U.S.A.
Innovations in Diabetes Management
Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care has produced a formidable legacy of firsts in diabetes management.
1941
Bayer (formerly Miles Laboratories) developed Clinitest®, the first convenient tablet test for detection of reducing sugars in urine.
1956
Bayer developed Clinistix®, the first dip and read test for glucose in urine.
1964
Bayer developed Dextrostix, the first test strip for glucose in blood.
1969
Through the former Ames division, Bayer introduced the Ames® Reflectance Meter, the first portable blood glucose meter.
1985
Bayer developed Glucometer® II the first blood glucose meter to provide a memory for results.
1986
Bayer introduced Glucometer® M, the first meter with event markers and a computer interface.
1987
Bayer introduced Glucofacts®, PC software for the analysis of data from the Glucometer M.
1989
Bayer developed Glucofacts Data Link, the first telephone modem to allow data from a home blood glucose meter to be sent electronically to a doctor.
1992
Bayer commercialized the first rapid Point-of-Care system for the measurement of HbA1c.
1992
Bayer introduced Glucometer Elite®, the first capillary gap or “sip-in” technology and first “low volume” (3 microliter) glucose monitoring system.
1997
Bayer was the first company to offer a quantitative point-of-care immunoassay method for microalbumin and creatinine in urine.
1997
Bayer introduced the Ascensia® Microlet Vaculance®, the first lancing device to enhance blood collection from sites other that the fingertips
1997
Bayer introduced Glucometer® DEX® and Glucometer® ESPRIT®, the first consumer cartridge based biosensor systems for blood glucose testing.
2005
Ascensia® BREEZE® Blood Glucose Monitoring System is the first blood glucose meter recognized by the Arthritis Foundation for a design that is user friendly for the more than eight million Americans with arthritis who also have diabetes. The Ease-of-Use Commendation followed thorough review and testing by an independent panel of individuals with arthritis.
2006
Bayer acquires Metrika Inc., maker of the first and only device for use both at home as well as in the professional setting for monitoring of HbA1c.
Today, Bayer is a world leader in the rapidly growing self-testing market. We continue to set new standards in diabetes management with innovative new Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems. Our search goes on for methods to further minimize pain and the amount of blood needed to perform a blood glucose measurement. The near future will bring computerized methods for better collection, interpretation of and retention of blood glucose data. We move forward with the knowledge that we are touching lives and the goal of providing products that make a positive, daily difference for people with diabetes.