Media Advisory - June 14-15: Artificial Pancreas Findings Presented by UVA Health System Researchers

What: Artificial pancreas research at American Diabetes Association conferenceResearchers from the University of Virginia Center for Diabetes Technology are presenting their findings from artificial pancreas clinical trials at the American Diabetes Association’s 74th Scientific Sessions in San Francisco on June 14-15.

UVA researchers have worked to turn smart phones into an artificial pancreas with the goal of offering patients with type 1 diabetes an automated way to monitor and regulate their blood sugar. The device consists of a reconfigured smart phone running advanced algorithms, linked wirelessly with a blood glucose monitor and an insulin pump, and communicating with Internet services in real time. The artificial pancreas has been tested successfully in earlier outpatient trials, and additional clinical trials are planned for this summer.

The development of the artificial pancreas was supported by Paul and Diane Manning of Charlottesville, the Frederick Banting Foundation of Richmond and by the JDRF’s Artificial Pancreas Project. The Artificial Pancreas Project has brought together researchers from UVA, Stanford, the University of California, Santa Barbara, Montpellier University Hospital in France and the Universities of Padova and Pavia in Italy.

When: Here is the schedule of their presentations:• 8-10 a.m. Saturday, June 14: Boris Kovatchev, PhD, will present results from recent artificial pancreas trials (CT-SY24) – including a five-day artificial pancreas trial with adolescents conducted with Stanford University.• 12-2 p.m. Sunday, June 15: Sue Brown, MD, will present outcomes from a five-day artificial pancreas study (104-LB) conducted at UVA and in Italy.• 12-2 p.m. Sunday, June 15: Daniel Chernavvsky, MD, CRC, will present findings from an artificial pancreas trial (106-LB) with adolescents.

Media Opportunities:The UVA researchers will be available for interviews following their presentations. Interviews can also be arranged in the weeks following the conference.

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