Drug and device maker Abbott Laboratories said Thursday it received U.S. regulatory approval for its Freestyle Lite blood sugar testing strips.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the products to test for levels of glucose, a type of blood sugar, in patients with type 2 diabetes. People with the disease have trouble breaking down carbohydrates because their bodies have become resistant to a protein used in metabolism.
Abbott said the new strips contain an enzyme designed to minimize interference with test results.
North Chicago-headquartered Abbott said it would begin shipping test strips in August.
Shares of Abbott rose 16 cents to $47.72 in afternoon trading.
