OUR HISTORY
Established as a standalone company in 2016 with the purchase of Bayer Diabetes Care by PHC Holdings (formerly known as Panasonic Healthcare Holdings), Ascensia Diabetes Care is set to continue a proud legacy of innovations and firsts in diabetes management.
For more than 80 years, continuous research has allowed our diabetes care team to lead the way in blood glucose monitoring systems. These have been developed specifically to meet the needs of patients and along the way we have introduced many firsts.
FIND OUT MORE BY CLICKING THE TIMELINE BELOW:
1941
Clinitest® was developed – the first convenient tablet test for measurement of reducing substances in urine.
1956
The launch of Clinitest® – 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
Glucometer® II, the first blood glucose meter to provide a memory for results is developed
1986
Introduction of Glucometer® M, the first meter with event markers and a computer interface.
1987
The launch of Glucofacts® – PC software for the analysis of data from the Glucometer® M.
1989
Glucofacts®Data Link – the first telephone modem to allow data from a home blood glucose meter to be sent electronically to a doctor
1992
Introduction of the first rapid point-of-care system for the measurement of HbA1c and Ascensia® Glucometer Elite® – the first capillary gap or ‘sip-in’ technology and first ‘low volume’ (3 microlitre) blood glucose monitoring system.
1997
The first quantitative point-of-care immunoassay method for microalbumin and creatinine in urine.
Ascensia® Microlet Vaculance® – the first lancing device to enhance blood collection from sites other than the fingertips.
Glucometer® Dex® and Glucometer® Esprit®, the first consumer cartridge-based biosensor systems for blood glucose testing.
2003
Bayer introduced the Ascensia® Contour® meter.
2004
Bayer introduced the Ascensia® Breeze® meter.
2005
The Ascensia® BREEZE® Blood Glucose Monitoring System is the first blood glucose meter recognised by the Arthritis Foundation as a meter designed for the more than 8 million Americans with arthritis who also have diabetes.
2006
Acquires Metrika Inc. – maker of the first and only device for use both at home and in the professional setting for the monitoring of HbA1c.
2007
Introduction of a suite of blood glucose monitors with NoCoding™ technology, including BREEZE® and Contour® meters.
2008
Contour® Link meter – a blood glucose meter for Medtronic insulin pump patients outside the United States.
MICROLET® 2 – ergonomically designed lancing device for smooth and simple testing using silicone-coated lancets.
An updated CONTOUR™ meter with two levels of testing, basic and advanced, for easy personalisation.
2009
The CONTOUR™USB meter was introduced – the first and only blood glucose monitor that plugs directly into a computer, providing instant access to information that can help optimise diabetes management.
The DIDGET™ meter – the first and only blood glucose meter for children with diabetes that connects directly to Nintendo DS™ and DS Lite™ gaming systems.
2012
Introduction of CONTOUR™NEXT USB meter – combines remarkably accurate results with additional user information such as recording carbohydrates.
The CONTOUR™XT blood glucose meter and CONTOUR™NEXT test strips – our next generation of highly accurate diabetes management products.
2016
Ascensia Diabetes Care is established through the sale of Bayer Diabetes Care to PHC Holdings (formerly known as Panasonic Healthcare Holdings).