BRIDGE-1 Comprehensive Care Program for Type 1 Diabetes for Training ~400 Physicians and Benefiting 1,000 Children
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India – November 15, 2021
Biocon Biologics Limited (BBL), a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd., today announced that it has tied up with the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), Asia’s largest organization of researchers and healthcare professionals for diabetes, to launch a Comprehensive Care Program, BRIDGE-1, the Biocon & RSSDI Initiative for Diabetes Knowledge in Type 1 patients.
India has among the largest population of children and adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes in the world with an estimated 1 million children and adolescents dealing with this condition as of 2019, with the number increasing every year. To address the issue of Type 1 diabetes in children in a holistic manner, Biocon Biologics will work together with RSSDI to identify and train ~400 physicians in different districts across the country. Biocon Biologics will enable these HCPs with a free supply of its insulins portfolio to help over 1,000 children with Type 1 diabetes, from the marginalized communities, who otherwise cannot afford this therapy.
As a part of this initiative, RSSDI teams will develop the training material, as well as, will train these physicians, to create awareness on effective diabetes management in Type 1 patients, among their peers, and community at large in their respective districts. Biocon Biologics will provide, educational and other diabetes awareness materials for these training programs as well as will facilitate organizing of these events.
As the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a therapy that has transformed Type 1 diabetes from a once-fatal diagnosis into a chronic, manageable condition, Biocon Biologics has expanded its universal access program to include children with Type 1 diabetes from marginalized communities in India.
Addressing the Biocon Biologics Scientific Symposium at the 49th Annual Conference of RSSDI held to commemorate World Diabetes Day on November 14, 2021, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon and Biocon Biologics, said: “As a part of the centenary celebrations of the discovery of insulin, Biocon Biologics has expanded its universal access program to address the needs of young people with Type 1 diabetes in India in collaboration with RSSDI. With the help of ~400 physicians across the country, we aim to provide global quality, life-saving insulins to over 1,000 children who otherwise cannot afford this therapy.”
“Through our various access initiatives, Biocon Biologics is committed to enabling affordability, accessibility and availability of our insulins to the most underserved and vulnerable sections of the diabetes population in India,” she added.
Dr Banshi Saboo, President and Organising Chairman, RSSDI, said: “We are delighted to associate with Biocon Biologics to improve diabetes management for better patient outcomes, especially the marginalised who cannot afford the high cost of medicines. We are glad to be able to improve the quality of life for thousands of people with diabetes.”
At the symposium, Biocon Biologics presented the clinical study data submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration based on which the Company received world’s first interchangeability approval for its biosimilar Insulin Glargine. This interchangeability approval for biosimilar Insulin Glargine by the U.S. FDA, another first to Biocon Biologics’ credit, is a testament to the Company’s scientific excellence and robust quality comparability data. It is a game changing achievement as the designation will allow substitution of the product at the pharmacy counter, thus expanding patient access in the U.S. Biocon Biologics’ biosimilar Insulin Glargine has been available to patients in India since 2009. The Company has served over 1 million people with diabetes in India through its insulins portfolio, which includes Insulin Glargine and recombinant human insulin in various presentations.
As a credible, global insulins player, Biocon Biologics is taking forward its mission of expanding affordable access to quality insulins for people with diabetes across the world. To commemorate 100 years of insulin discovery, Biocon Biologics is observing the Diabetes Awareness Month with a series of activities viz., HCP Engagement through its digital i-connect platform and face-to-face interactions, a Diabetes Awareness Campaign on Social Media, Diabetes Detection Camps, as well as Walkathons with participating HCPs for raising awareness on Diabetes.
About Type 1 Diabetes in Children & Adolescents in India
India has the maximum number of children with Type 1 diabetes globally, as per IDF Diabetes Atlas 2019. As of 2019, over 1 million children and adolescents had Type 1 diabetes. India leads in both existing and new cases of Type 1 diabetes. There were 15,900 new cases of Type 1 diabetes in India, followed by 14,700 cases in US and 7,300 cases in Brazil. India leads with 95,600 existing cases of Type 1 diabetes among children up to the age of 14, followed by 94,200 in USA and 51,500 in Brazil.
About Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI)
RSSDI is the largest organization of Diabetes Health Care Professionals and researchers in Asia. It has over 10,000 members from amongst physicians, diabetologists, endocrinologists, as well as paramedical personnel such as nurses, dieticians. From a small beginning in 1972, RSSDI has grown to be a truly national organization. Since 2003, RSSDI has been supporting the formation of State level chapters of RSSDI, which function in regional wings of RSSDI to increase the pace of activities of the society at the local level. These activities include Continuing Medical Education (CME) Programs for local physicians, Diabetes research for Indian researchers interested in diabetes research and Diabetes awareness programs for patients.
About Biocon Biologics Limited
Biocon Biologics Limited, a subsidiary of Biocon Limited, is a fully integrated global biosimilars organization. It is leveraging cutting-edge science, innovative tech platforms and advanced research & development capabilities to lower treatment costs while improving healthcare outcomes. It has a strong research pipeline of biosimilar molecules across diabetes, oncology, immunology, and other non-communicable diseases. Five molecules from Biocon Biologics’ portfolio have been taken from lab to market in developed markets like United States, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan and key emerging markets. It has many firsts to its credit including the most recent USFDA approval of world’s first interchangeable biosimilar, received for its Insulin Glargine. With a team of ~4,800 people, Biocon Biologics is committed to transforming healthcare and transforming lives by enabling affordable access to millions of patients’ worldwide. Website: www.bioconbiologics.com/businesses/biosimilars/; Follow us on Twitter: @BioconBiologics
About Biocon Limited
Biocon Limited, publicly listed in 2004, (BSE code: 532523, NSE Id: BIOCON, ISIN Id: INE376G01013) is an innovation-led global biopharmaceuticals company committed to enhance affordable access to complex therapies for chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and autoimmune. It has developed and commercialized novel biologics, biosimilars, and complex small molecule APIs in India and several key global markets as well as Generic Formulations in the US and Europe. It also has a pipeline of promising novel assets in immunotherapy under development. Website: www.bioconbiologics.com; Follow-us on Twitter: @bioconlimited
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