An interview with Uwe DIEGEL, founder extraordinaire of Lifeina

As a health journalist and a diabetic patient, I have followed Uwe Diegel's work for around 15 years. His remarkable career as CEO of leading diagnostics companies like Microlife and iHealth, combined with his deep scientific curiosity, has shaped him into a relentless innovator. Diegel’s first career as a concert pianist provided him with a unique perspective on business practices. As a pianist, he dedicated over 12 hours a day to rigorous practice, showing unwavering devotion to his craft—an approach he now applies to developing impactful business strategies. Sometimes called the 'Steve Jobs of healthcare,' I recently had the opportunity to visit him at his home in Champagne to discuss Lifeina, life, and his vision for the future.

Felicienne Monty (FM): Good morning, Uwe! Thank you so much for taking the time to sit down with me today. You have such a fascinating background as an inventor and entrepreneur in the medical field. Can you start by telling us a bit about your background and how you got into the healthcare industry?

Uwe Diegel (UD): Good morning, Felicienne. It’s a pleasure to be here. My journey in the healthcare industry began in the 1990s, almost by chance. My brother and I started developing medical devices, initially focusing on blood pressure monitors, which eventually became popular in over 70 countries. Working in this industry made me realize the immense responsibility and impact that healthcare products can have on people's lives. That realization has driven me to create solutions that address specific needs in the healthcare space, especially for those who depend on medications daily.

FM: That’s incredible. You've moved from blood pressure monitors to something quite revolutionary: a portable fridge for medication. How did the idea for Lifeina come about?

UD: The idea was actually born out of necessity and personal experience. About 15 years ago, my brother developed Type 1 diabetes, which requires strict insulin management. We quickly learned the challenges of traveling with temperature-sensitive medication like insulin. It’s not as simple as just taking it with you; it needs to be kept at a constant temperature, or it becomes ineffective. Seeing the daily stress he went through, I thought, “There must be a better way to manage this.” That was the first spark, but the journey from concept to creation took years of research, development, and refining.

FM: That’s such a powerful story, and it’s inspiring to see how personal experiences can lead to innovation. Could you tell us about some of the specific challenges you faced in bringing Lifeina to life?

UD: Oh, there were many! One of the biggest challenges was size versus functionality. We wanted something small enough to carry comfortably but powerful enough to maintain a stable temperature for hours, if not days. It took several prototypes to get the balance just right. Then, of course, there were the regulatory challenges. Medical devices face stringent regulations, and a fridge that directly impacts the effectiveness of life-saving medication has to be held to the highest standards. Ensuring Lifeina met these standards, while remaining user-friendly, was a balancing act that took years.

FM: And now Lifeina has become the world's smallest fridge for transporting fragile medications—no small feat! I imagine that the technology behind it must be quite sophisticated. Can you explain a bit about how it works?

UD: Absolutely. Lifeina uses advanced thermoelectric cooling technology, a bit like what you'd find in more industrial cooling applications but miniaturized. It runs on both battery and external power, meaning it can keep medication at a safe temperature even if the user is on a long trip without power access. We wanted it to be smart, so we integrated sensors and monitoring that notify users if the temperature shifts outside of a safe range. This means users can travel without constantly worrying about their medication. It’s this combination of portability, reliability, and smart technology that makes Lifeina unique.

FM: The idea of a smart fridge for medication is groundbreaking. It’s interesting to think of how Lifeina fits into a larger landscape of medical technology innovation. What does the future look like for Lifeina, and do you see other products on the horizon?

UD: Yes, indeed! The future of Lifeina is centered around broadening access and expanding our product range. Right now, Lifeina is focused on temperature-sensitive medications like insulinand growth hormones, but the same technology can be applied to other medical fields. We’re looking at making even more compact devices, increasing battery life, and expanding monitoring capabilities. Additionally, we're researching more eco-friendly materials and reusable solutions. The goal is to create a range of products that cater to a variety of medical needs while making life easier and safer for patients.

FM: That sounds fantastic. With so many products in mind, how do you approach the design and development process to ensure that each product remains true to its purpose of helping patients?

UD: For us, it always starts with listening to patients. Their feedback is our most valuable resource. I spend a lot of time speaking to people who rely on medications daily, understanding their pain points, and their lifestyles. With this feedback, we move into design with a user-centered approach. We prototype quickly and gather as much feedback as possible before we finalize anything. It’s all about making products that genuinely improve people’s lives rather than just creating something new for the sake of novelty.

FM: That’s a very thoughtful approach. Given that you’re listening directly to patient needs, are there specific stories that have stuck with you throughout this journey?

UD: There are so many. One that comes to mind is a mother from New Zealand who contacted us about her son, who has a rare immune condition requiring daily injections that need refrigeration. She was nearly in tears, explaining how hard it was to manage family vacations or even daily outings without worrying about his medication. After she started using Lifeina, she wrote to tell us it was life-changing. These stories remind us of why we started and inspire us to keep pushing forward.

FM: Those are such powerful examples. It must be incredibly motivating to know your work impacts families so directly. Looking forward, do you think that the demand for medical technology like Lifeina will continue to grow?

UD: Absolutely. We’re living in an age where more people are being diagnosed with chronic conditions and living longer, meaning more people are reliant on medications for longer periods. At the same time, people are more mobile and want the freedom to travel. This combination is creating a demand for medical devices that are portable, reliable, and easy to use. I think we’ll see a significant rise in demand not only for products like Lifeina but for a broader range of personalized health solutions that empower patients.

FM: You bring up an interesting point about empowerment. In your opinion, how does technology like Lifeina empower patients in ways that traditional solutions don’t?

UD: Traditional methods of keeping medication cool involve bulky, heavy coolers with ice packs that only keep medications at the right temperature for so long. LifeinaBox, on the other hand, gives people confidence. It’s portable, it’s reliable, and it’s easy to use, which means patients don’t have to constantly plan their lives around their medication. It’s all about giving people freedom back, allowing them to live a more normal, less restricted life. But even when it comes to traditional methods using ice packs we are also innovating with MedActiv in that field, developing new generation phase-changing materials which will stay frozen 3 times longer than traditional gel packs.

FM: I think that’s something everyone can appreciate, especially as we’re seeing a shift toward more personalized healthcare. Speaking of freedom, what’s next for you and Lifeina?

UD: Great question! Freedom for our users is always top of mind. As we look forward, our main focus is on making Lifeina even more adaptable and accessible. We’re currently working on expanding battery life and developing smaller, more portable versions to give people even more flexibility and independence. We’re also investing in new technologies that can monitor and maintain temperature with even greater precision and control.

Beyond the device itself, we’re exploring integration with mobile health platforms. Imagine a Lifeina app that syncs with your device, giving you real-time updates on temperature, battery levels, and travel stats, all while tracking usage patterns. This could also allow caregivers and healthcare providers to stay informed, so they can be confident in the medication’s safety. On a broader scale, we’re researching ways to adapt our technology for use in different healthcare settings—particularly in remote and under-resourced areas where access to temperature-controlled storage can be a life-saver for vaccines and other medications.

Ultimately, our goal is to keep developing solutions that make life easier, safer, and more empowered for anyone who relies on sensitive medications. We’re excited about the path ahead, and our team is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in this field.

FM: Given the challenges and unique needs in the healthcare field, resilience and a patient-centered approach seem essential. Speaking of innovation, you mentioned integrating Lifeina with mobile health platforms. Could you tell us a bit more about your vision there and how you see technology transforming patient care?

UD: Absolutely, Felicienne. We’re living in a connected world where people are using their phones not just to communicate, but to manage so many aspects of their lives, including health. Our vision is to make Lifeina a connected part of this ecosystem. Imagine a Lifeina device that can send real-time updates to an app on your phone, notifying you and even your healthcare provider if there’s a temperature fluctuation, battery low alert, or any other important factor. This kind of connectivity can give patients peace of mind and a sense of control, even when they’re on the go. We’re even looking at integrating data analytics, so patients and providers can have an overview of how the medication is managed over time.

FM: That’s fascinating. The idea of a smart device that actively communicates with both patients and healthcare providers really seems like the future of personalized healthcare. Is there a particular challenge in making these devices more connected?

UD: Yes, there are definitely a few. One of the main challenges is ensuring data privacy and security, especially in healthcare. Patients’ health information is incredibly sensitive, so we need to create secure platforms that safeguard this data while making it easily accessible for patients and their doctors. Then there’s the technical challenge of maintaining stable connectivity, especially in remote areas where internet access might be limited. Our goal is to create solutions that balance security, usability, and reliability so patients everywhere can benefit.

FM: That makes a lot of sense. As we wrap up, I’m curious to know what you find most rewarding about your work. Is there a specific aspect of this journey that stands out to you?

UD: The most rewarding part is, without a doubt, hearing from people whose lives have been changed by what we do. Every time we receive a message from a patient who can finally travel without worry, or a parent who feels secure about their child’s medication, it reinforces why we started this journey. The healthcare space can be challenging, but knowing we’re making a real, positive impact on people’s lives is incredibly fulfilling. It’s what keeps us going through the ups and downs.

FM: And tell me Uwe, Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

UD: Absolutely. My biggest piece of advice is to keep the end-user at the heart of everything you do. In healthcare, and really in any industry, success often comes from truly understanding the people who will use your product—their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Spend time speaking with them, listening to their experiences, and letting their insights guide your development process. This patient-centered approach has been the key to everything we’ve done at Lifeina and MedActiv.

Another piece of advice is resilience. The path of an entrepreneur, especially in healthcare, is not easy. You’ll face regulatory hurdles, unexpected setbacks, and, often, a slower pace than other industries because of the necessary compliance measures. It’s important to stay patient, committed, and flexible enough to adapt as you go. Surround yourself with people who share your vision, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or to pivot when needed.

Lastly, remember that real impact takes time. Success doesn’t always come quickly, and true innovation requires persistence and constant learning. But if you stay focused on creating value and solving real problems, the rewards—both personal and professional—are absolutely worth it.

FM: Thank you so much, Uwe, for sharing your journey, your innovations, and your future plans with us. It’s inspiring to see how Lifeina and MedActiv are transforming healthcare for the better. I look forward to seeing all the new advancements you and your team bring forward!

UD: Thank you, Felicienne! It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, and I appreciate the opportunity to share our story. We’re excited about the future and committed to continuing our work to make life a little easier for people managing their health.

To find out more about Lifeina : www.lifeina.com

To find out more about MedActiv : www.medactiv.com ?

To find out more about Uwe DIEGEL : www.uwediegel.com

Contact Félicienne MONTY : [email protected]

Contact Uwe DIEGEL : [email protected]

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