Sanofi launches a monster mobile diabetes game

Monster Manor iPhone and Android apps aim to encourage better management of 

the condition

Crazy monsters, bizarre furniture and weird pets are at the heart

of a new mobile game from Sanofi UK for children with diabetes.

Available on the iPhone, iPad and Android devices, Monster Manor is a 

collecting game with a built-in tracker that provides positive feedback 

the more regularly players test and log their blood glucose levels.

The company wants to encourage children with type I diabetes to better 

manage their condition through regular blood glucose testing in a move 

that builds on its mobile diabetes experiences with the 

iPhone-compatibleiBGStar meter.

The free game was developed as part of a partnership 

between Sanofi UK, Diabetes UK and behavioural change gaming firm 

Ayogo Health.

Michael Fergusson, CEO at Ayogo Health, said: “As game designers, 

watching children play Monster Manor has been very satisfying, as the 

kids tell us that it's fun and they want to keep playing. But for us, fun is 

only a means to an end; the goal ultimately is to improve health 

outcomes for the children we work for.”

Children between ages six and 13 with type 1 diabetes are expected to 

take on increasing responsibility for testing and logging their own blood 

glucose, but only 15 per cent achieve their blood glucose targets.

It is thought that just one extra test a day in teenagers could lead to a 

0.4 per cent reduction in blood glucose concentration or HbA1c, 

potentially making a significant difference.

Every time Monster Manor players enter their diabetes information they 

are rewarded with a piñata they can smash to collect a prize, and by logging children's blood sugar tests the app also serves as a tool for 

families and healthcare professionals to spot glycaemic trends.

Sanofi noted that the role of 'gamification' in the management of chronic

conditions has yet to be tested, but said the Monster Manor concept 

could an approach that soon catches on.

Andrew Hockey, medical director Sanofi Diabetes, said: “For children 

with type 1 diabetes who are resistant to testing this new app could help 

manage their condition with the promotion of better behaviours to 

supplement and support their daily regimen. We see this new app as a 

solution that promotes better outcomes.”

Pharma companies have explored games in diabetes before, notably in 

the form of Bayer's Knock 'Em Downs: Worlds Fair game for its Nintendo 

DS-compatible blood glucose meter, but to date there has been little 

rigorous assessment of their use.

Sanofi hopes to change this, and Monster Manor is set to be evaluated by

one of the NHS' Academic Health Science Networks, the bodies set up 

earlier this year to unite regional scientific and academic communities 

and industry.

Dr Katharine Owen, clinical lead for the Oxford Academic Health Science 

Network's Diabetes Network, said: “Technology is part of everyday life, 

so using it to help with balancing blood sugars and have fun at the same 

time is a brilliant idea!

“We are excited to be evaluating this project and hope our new diabetes 

network will come up with more bright ideas like this one that will make 

a big difference to patients of all ages."

Source: http://www.pmlive.com/blogs/digital_intelligence/archive/2013/october/sanof

i_launches_a_monster_mobile_diabetes_game_for_kids

PERSONAL COMMENT

Sanofi is, without doubts, very cared about their clients. This article 

shows one example of that. It talks about a new technological platform that 

the company launched and which the main goal is to improve the health of 

diabetic children. With this project I think Sanofi don’t profit neither directly 

or indirectly, because the target audience is limited, and the only way they 

can improve the profits are trough convincing children, or their parents or 

their doctors to buy Sanofi’s diabetes product.

This article is external to the company, it is well structured, and it is 

good to the firm image. It vogues the firm as a health care helper. The 

people that commented this article all support this project. I chose this article for a simple reason, because I am diabetic and I 

really care about all technologies related about. This is a good comment 

about a nice topic, diabetes during childhood is very upset thing, it can 

destroy a kid life. Whit this program it can be overtake better, turning the 

disease in a kind of game. 

Simão Lourenço Pereira