China Unicom Enters Health Space Through Partnership With IDEAL LIFE And Novatech
Partnership with China Unicom and Shandong Bio-Tech Firm Novatech Brings IDEAL LIFE System to Retail Locations throughout China
IDEAL LIFE Inc., the industry leader in remote health management solutions, has announced a distribution agreement to expand the presence of its revolutionary system in China. Partnering with China Unicom and Novatech Biopharmaceutical ("Novatech"), IDEAL LIFE's affordable, user-friendly technology will allow millions of Chinese to become active participants in their own healthcare and reduce medical costs.
Per the terms of the partnership, telecommunications company China Unicom will take advantage of its ever expanding 3G network, and millions of customers and make the IDEAL LIFE system available to all its customers in retail outlets countrywide. This agreement builds on a vision to deliver IDEAL LIFE's system to chronic disease patients throughout China.
"We're excited to announce the extension of IDEAL LIFE's foray into the Chinese market that is poised to make a major difference in the medical industry. The initial phase of 100,000 users already announced was at the time was the largest remote health monitoring initiative in the world," said Jason Goldberg, President of IDEAL LIFE Inc. "The new partnership surpasses that mark by leaps and bounds, reaching millions of Chinese, who will now be able to proactively educate themselves and better manage their own health and wellness, as well as manage chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, asthma and obesity."
The IDEAL LIFE system features products such as the Gluco-Manager (blood glucose meter), BP Manager (blood pressure monitor), and Body-Manager (body weight scale). Users can take readings with their device of choice, and the resulting information is automatically saved and wirelessly transmitted to a secure remote information management system. The user's designated healthcare team can then access this information through their existing health record applications or the IDEAL LIFE secure website portal to assist with timely and appropriate healthcare decisions.
In addition, the new IDEAL LIFE Health Tablet automatically syncs data between healthcare provider and patient health records, giving access to users' health records when they need them. IDEAL LIFE's interactive kiosk will be present in China Unicom's retail outlets to capture and communicate health information remotely.
"This strategic partnership with IDEAL LIFE and Novatech will push forward the development of domestic medical information, reduce the hospitalization rate and benefit the construction of home-based medical systems," said Cui Tao, deputy general manager of China Unicom's customer service department.
According to Chinese government statistics, there are 170 million hypertension patients, with a reported annual increase of 3 million people. There are a reported 95 million diabetic patients, and most are unable to effectively manage the disease. Cardiovascular patients number 165 million, representing a combined total market of approximately 400 million people. And with estimated cardiovascular events expected to increase more than 50 percent between now and 2030, the IDEAL LIFE system will aid Chinese directives aimed at managing risk factors for chronic disease.
The IDEAL LIFE system has been clinically proven as more effective and affordable than other wellness management methods. In a U.S. hypertension trial, 63 percent of participants experienced reduced blood pressure. In another U.S. trial focusing on congestive heart failure, the IDEAL LIFE program was proven to reduce congestive heart failure hospital re-admissions by 57 percent.
About IDEAL LIFE
IDEAL LIFE, the industry leader in remote health management solutions, has created an innovative platform that addresses many of today's most challenging and costly healthcare issues. Guided by a medical advisory panel of experts, the IDEAL LIFE program makes proactive prevention more realistic than ever as it is instrumental in gauging health issues before chronic conditions manifest themselves into acute events. For people managing chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, asthma or obesity, IDEAL LIFE provides relevant, real-time, reliable and actionable data from a person either at home or while on the go. It delivers interactive, personalized communication to incorporate feedback to the knowledge base, allowing individuals to become more engaged and active participants in their own health.
The easy-to-use IDEAL LIFE system utilizes digital, secure two-way communication, allowing for a more personalized and cost-effective wellness experience. The FDA-cleared and HIPAA-compliant products and services have, for example, been proven to reduce congestive heart failure hospital admissions by 57 percent, demonstrating they can significantly reduce healthcare costs. For more information, visit www.ideallifeonline.com.
About China Unicom
One of the largest Telecommunications Providers in China with over 160 million wireless subscribers, China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd ("China Unicom") was officially established on 6 January 2009 on the basis of the merger of former China Netcom and former China Unicom. It has subsidiaries in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) across China and many countries and regions around the world. It is the only Chinese telecom operator listed on the stock exchanges in New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of 2008, the total assets of the Company reached 500.09 billion yuan and the number of employees stood at 463,000.
With a modern communications network characterized by nationwide coverage and global reach, China Unicom mainly operates fixed and mobile communications service, domestic and international communications facilities, satellite IPLC service, data communications service, network access service, value-added telecom services and system integration service related to information and communications services. On 7 January 2009, China Unicom was granted a WCDMA license.
By the end of 2008, China Unicom had 273 million subscribers, among which the broadband subscribers totaled 30.16 million, GSM subscribers 133 million and fixed-line (including PHS) subscribers 109 million. China Unicom was among the Top 500 in the world in terms of its revenue, and ranked in the top of the world leading telecom operators in terms of its customer base and market capitalization of its listed company.
Aiming at providing comprehensive and high-quality broadband communications and information services for customers, China Unicom has been speeding up the construction of mobile communications network, strengthening the development of fixed broadband network, and promoting broadband-based fixed and mobile networks. Committed to raising its overall competitiveness and sustainable development capacity and becoming a world leading provider of broadband communications and information services, China Unicom will further enhance the development of its services, expand its business scope and improve the quality of service while adhering to the market-oriented and customer-focused principle and emphasizing the development of mobile broadband Internet services.
About Novatech
Established in 2006, Shandong Novatech Biopharmaceutical ("Novatech") is one of the largest drugs and medical equipment distributors and suppliers in Shandong Province, China. While the company owns and operates the largest medical product distribution network in Shandong, it has extensive coverage in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Henan, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Chongqing, Jiangxi, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia. It trades with South America, Europe, India and Pakistan. Novatech is also a well-known manufacturer and exporter of DNA products, APIs & intermediates and special chemicals. In 2010, Novatech has over 1,000 employees. Through continuous standardization and scientific processes, Novatech is committed to be the number one brand in healthcare R&D and promotion in China.
SOURCE: IDEAL LIFE Inc./i>