WaveSense Diabetes Products Safe from Maltose Inaccuracy Risks

SALEM, N.H., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- AgaMatrix, Inc., the makers of WaveSense
blood glucose meters, announced today their continued commitment to educate
health care professionals and patients on the importance of blood glucose
meter (BGM) accuracy for all patients. WaveSense BGM's uniquely employ
WaveSense technology which personalizes each test to provide world class
accuracy. They detect and correct for errors caused by different environmental
conditions and blood samples.

According to an industry whitepaper, nearly 90,000 people use drugs or
solutions(1), which put them at risk of death if they use some BGM's that use
different technology and give inaccurate results because they use the enzyme
system GDH PQQ (glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinoline quinine). All WaveSense
BGM's employ a unique, patented technology, including a different enzyme, thus
are not affected by this issue.

Products representing over 30% of the BGM market could be affected(2),
spanning 18 different brands. The FDA has developed a complete list of these
products:
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm177189.htm

Nancy D'Hondt, RPh, CDE, a nationally recognized diabetes expert from St. John
Hospital and Medical Center states, "Patients with diabetes should not be put
at risk by using meters that could render inaccurate results. Our patients
often cannot remember which medications they take, let alone understand meter
technology and capabilities. In emergency situations and in the healthcare
setting, we rely more and more on accuracy and reliability using point-of-care
testing devices, so eliminating the potential for error is a must, especially
given that safer alternatives exist."

Clinical data shows that WaveSense brand BGM's are unaffected by maltose
concentrations up to 120 mg/dL, twice the clinically relevant levels
associated with peritoneal dialysis, according to Meg Wiley, Director of
Clinical Affairs at AgaMatrix, makers of WaveSense diabetes products.

Falsely elevated blood glucose readings could occur when testing with BGM's
that use GDH PQQ. Several drugs and solutions (including OCTAGAM(R),
Extraneal(R), D-Xylose USP(R)) used in peritoneal kidney dialysis or to treat
immune deficiency diseases contain, or produce as a metabolite, sugars such as
maltose, xylose, or galactose that react with GDH PQQ to provide results that
are higher than the patient's actual glucose level. This could result in
unsafe treatment and consequent health risks.(3),(4)

About WaveSense Products:
WaveSense(TM) is a line of blood glucose meters, strips, and software designed
to improve the quality of diabetes care by using a new technology that
personalizes each test to provide world class accuracy. It detects and
corrects for many errors caused by differences in blood samples and
environmental conditions. Current AgaMatrix products include the WaveSense
KeyNote(TM), Presto(TM), Jazz(TM), and the WaveSense Diabetes Manager iPhone
App. WaveSense meters and strips are covered by insurance and available by
mail order and at popular retail outlets such as Wal-Mart and Kroger. For more
information, go to: www.wavesense.info.

(C) 2002-2009 AgaMatrix, Inc. WaveSense, KeyNote, Presto, Jazz, WaveSense
Diabetes Manager are trademarks of AgaMatrix, Inc. iPhone, Wal-Mart and Kroger
are registered trademarks of their respective owners.

(1) Industry whitepaper "Blood Glucose Monitoring: The Facts about System
Limitations."
(2) IVD market data, BBC Whole Blood Glucose Monitoring Report (2008)
(3) FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PatientAlerts/ucm177189.htm
(4) FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/ucm154213.htm

SOURCE AgaMatrix, Inc.

Andrew Chen, +1-603-328-6068, andrew@agamatrix.com