The future of medicine has never been as bright as it is today. As a result of advances in technology, which have made the sequencing of the human genome possible, we stand at the brink of a golden age of medical research. Yet, despite the promises of these giant steps forward, we still wrestle with the major unmet medical needs of today. One such unmet need spurs our ongoing research into new medicines to fight diabetes.

Many people first become aware that they have diabetes by developing one of its life-threatening complications, which include blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, heart disease and stroke. By then, it may be too late. It is vital to quickly diagnose and treat diabetes. Improved diet and increased exercise may improve the quality of life for diabetic patients, but when diet and exercise are not enough, medications may help diabetic patients control their blood sugar.

Bristol-Myers Squibb has generated an all-points attack on diabetes and related disorders. With a multi-pronged approach in metabolic research, the company will help ensure success in fully exploiting the opportunities provided in the post-genomics era.

In addition, we are investigating the emerging epidemic known as metabolic dysfunction. As more people live longer and obesity becomes more prevalent, there are more people with borderline high levels of triglycerides, borderline high blood pressure and lower levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol. Each symptom on its own may not mark a person as diabetic, but the culmination of these risk factors may hasten obesity, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis and lead to greater disability or death.

Future treatments for diabetes and for many other diseases will likely consist of multiple drugs with different mechanisms rather than a single drug alone. Bristol-Myers Squibb is pursuing a multi-pronged, systematic approach to diabetes drug discovery and development. Many of our discovery programs have led to preclinical drug candidates.

Researchers around the world work tirelessly to discover and develop new medicines to fight metabolic diseases. This steadfast effort, coupled with the lessons we have learned and the vast potential of modern medicine, stands to benefit people everywhere.