Caption: David, Type 1 Diabetes, Brazil
Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are major contributors to the global challenge of chronic diseases. It’s hard to imagine, but 60,000 people die every day from cardiovascular disease or diabetes complications—one person every 1.5 seconds.1 Although well-established treatments and prevention options are available, the threat is still increasing at an alarming rate. Unchecked, it will continue to overwhelm healthcare systems, creating spiraling costs and devastating millions more lives every year.
About diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
Although distinct as therapeutic areas, a link exists between the two with diabetes being a prime risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes also affects the heart muscle, causing both systolic and diastolic heart failure.2
People with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas. People with type 2 diabetes do not respond to insulin as well as they should and in late stages of the disease often do not make enough insulin.2 Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term, high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.3
Cardiovascular disease can result in heart attacks and strokes, which are usually acute events and are mainly caused by a blockage in blood vessels that prevents blood from flowing to the heart or brain. The most common reason for this is a build-up of fatty deposits on the inner walls of the blood vessels that supply the heart or brain. Strokes can also be caused by bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain or from blood clots. The cause of heart attacks and strokes are usually the presence of a combination of risk factors, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.4
Sanofi’s century of commitment
Sanofi has been at the forefront of diabetes and cardiovascular management for nearly a century. Looking to the future, it is building on this proud heritage by pioneering new possibilities for people living with chronic diseases.
Diabetes Your Type
As a leader in the development of insulin treatment and insulin pens, Sanofi has been working for nearly a century to advance therapeutic options for diabetes. Going beyond medicines and recognizing the individual needs of each person living with diabetes, Sanofi’s unique approach brings together a broad insulin-based portfolio with the power of digital and personal technology. Developing a comprehensive care ecosystem, Sanofi will help each individual living with diabetes to achieve better outcomes.
Our Heart is in it
With a legacy of more than 60 years of heart disease research focused on primary and secondary prevention in the fight against cardiovascular diseases, Sanofi supports 70 million people living with heart problems worldwide by providing innovative and well-established therapeutic solutions.6
Driven by a passionate, unwavering dedication to patients, Sanofi continues to uncover and realize new possibilities in cardiovascular and chronic disease management. Going beyond medicine, Sanofi continues to transform the health outcomes of millions of people living with cardiovascular diseases.
We're proud of our 100-year legacy in insulin, and we're continuously transforming care for people living with diabetes. Discover how at our Insulin Campus in Frankfurt, one of the largest insulin production sites in the world.
Our Insulin Campus
Challenges remain
People living with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases still face a range of challenges. They may see their doctors only a few times a year, often lack adequate support in between appointments, and typically need to adapt their nutrition, exercise and adhere better to their medication.
With rapidly increasing prevalence and associated healthcare costs, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are a growing burden for healthcare systems worldwide. Despite effective therapeutic solutions, significant advances and life-changing medicines, the management of these diseases is a 24/7 task.
Sanofi's Ambition
Our Ambition is to reverse the course of chronic diseases. To meet these challenges, at Sanofi, we are combining our vast experience and portfolio of trusted brands with the power of technology and digital innovation to develop simplified, tailored care solutions that will transform the management of chronic diseases. Our goal is to change the practice of medicine and redefine health outcomes for millions of people.
20,000
employees worldwide, dedicated to the needs of people living with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.6
3
core expertise areas (Cardiovascular & Established Products, Diabetes and Virtual Healthcare) addressing the most pressing healthcare challenges across diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
32
manufacturing sites across the world, including 14 in Europe.
Follow all our news on Diabetes and Cardiovascular
References
- Calculation based on number of deaths from cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases/#tab=tab_1; https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/difference-between-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes
- https://www.idf.org/aboutdiabetes/what-is-diabetes.html
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds)
- https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/21/3/160
- Sanofi database
November 2020 – MAT-GLB-2003211