A long term collaboration on diabetes research has been announced between Bermuda-based Corange Ltd.'s main subsidiary, Boehringer Mannheim, and a leading US diabetes research centre, Joslin Diabetes Center, in Boston.

The research and development collaboration intends to combine their diabetes expertise and technology in order to promote scientific and clinical understanding of the major disease.

It will consist of three parts that include individual basic research projects, a clinical research and diagnostics programme and a health services and outcomes research programme.

A Corange statement said that the goal for collaboration is to identify breakthrough knowledge in various aspects of diabetes; determine clinical implications of this knowledge; and, ultimately, establish positive clinical and economic outcomes for these clinical interventions.

The alliance is initially a five year deal, totally funded by Boehringer Mannheim, at a cost of at least $5,000,000, although it could be extended if both organisations agree.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects 100-150 million people globally, by interfering with the body's ability to produce and use insulin, a hormone the body needs to handle carbohydrates.

Both genetics and the environment appear to play a role in diabetes, but the exact cause of the disease is unknown. There is no cure.

The disease is treated through diet and weight control, and in some cases through the use of oral medication or insulin.