An incredible journey
The mySugr idea was born in 2010. Smartphones were still quite new, the first tablets just hit the scene and the diabetes industry felt stuck in a gloomy place. We were bursting with ideas and motivated to reinvent the experience of diabetes management. It helped that two of our founders, Frank and Fredrik, live with diabetes themselves.
We pinpointed the core problems we had with diabetes therapy and realized that mobile technology would play an essential role in solving these issues. We conceptualized and experimented for more than a year on what the future of diabetes therapy could look like and found a way to pursue our vision – to make diabetes suck less.
Early in the process, we realized that this vision would have to start with an app that focuses on the user experience, one which simplifies the daily chores of living with diabetes, solves basic therapy problems and is fun to use.
Through our research, the idea continued to blossom and in April 2012 we founded the mySugr GmbH to launch the first version of the mySugr App. Today, over one million people with diabetes trust us to help with their therapy.
Diabetes care of the future
To create the highest possible value for people with diabetes, we need to combine and integrate many different disciplines of craft and science (medical devices, mobile apps, delivery of physical goods, human coaches, big data analytics, psychology, diabetology…), venture deeply into new technologies (closed-loop, machine learning, …) and deliver the result through a clear and empowering user experience.
To get there faster, we always believed in partnering with the best in the field and tried to get as many people and organizations as possible involved. A few months ago, one of our long-term partners approached us with an idea to bring mySugr to the next level and complement their new open digital strategy…
Roche & personalized healthcare
Roche, a global healthcare pioneer founded way back in 1896, fosters a culture of innovation and has continued to reinvent itself over the years. Through our long-lasting partnership, we had front-row seats to see the fresh strategy for a reinvented Roche Diabetes Care take shape. A strategy that puts those who live with diabetes and digital technology firmly in the center of their efforts.
We realized right away the potential of putting mySugr into the heart of Roche Diabetes Care’s new “patient-first” approach. It means that we, people with diabetes, will be in the driver’s seat, supported by the global leader in diabetes therapy. We decided to embrace this responsibility and get ready for a new and exciting chapter – mySugr joins the Roche family to keep redefining diabetes therapy.
Our next chapter
So what will the future for mySugr look like?
Autonomy: We remain independent – the mySugr team will still be calling the shots. We’ll keep working where our passion lies: putting people with diabetes at the center of our ideas and efforts.
Openness: We’re still deeply committed to being an open platform. We integrate with the best medical devices and fitness trackers and give you the freedom to chose the setup you prefer most. This also includes devices which may directly compete with Roche.
Growth: The mySugr team in Vienna and San Diego will need more help. We’re looking for people who are motivated to help us make diabetes suck less.
Research: We can focus better on exploring and developing today what we, the people with diabetes, will need tomorrow. Many exciting ideas are right in front of us.
Focus: With this new financial stability, we can focus on building the best product experience, integrating all medical devices and getting more insurance companies on board to make life easier for you.
A team with a mission
Taking an idea and turning it into a company, taking it through its childhood and teens and now into adulthood is a massive undertaking. The journey we have shared so far has been amazing. For many years, we bet everything on our team, skills, endurance, and customers. It worked.
Thank you. The stories we’ve heard and lived, the adventures we’ve been on. The times, both good and bad. The stupid mistakes and bets, the wise choices and random strokes of genius and idiocy. To the friends and enemies we have made. To our sons and daughters, wives and husbands, friends and colleagues, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, be it through DNA or through diabetes. To each and every user and fan, hater and lover. Thank you.
This is just the start, let’s go further.
Roche's press info on the deal: http://lisavienna.at/en/news/roche-acquires-mysugr-form-leading-open-platform-digital-diabetes-management
Ilka Gdanietz
Email: ilka.gdanietz(at)mysugr.com
Tel: +49 151 54735790
Web: mysugr.com