Google Makes A Switch From Smartphones To Wearable Glucose Meters
The Life Sciences division of Google, which is currently dubbed "Alphabet" has created a breakthrough for diabetics. It is now possible to wear sugar-monitoring contact lenses just like wellness wristbands that have been made popular since 2014. Now, Google is presumably working on a miniaturized wearable glucose meter for patients with diabetes.
It's no surprise that Google or Alphabet is getting more and more into health tech and health care.
"Life Sciences' new wearable, a sensor-laden continuous glucose monitor no larger than a bandage, is intended to supplant the painful pinprick tests that most type 1 and 2 diabetics regularly undergo, Digital Trends reported. "It's inexpensive and disposable, reliable enough to measure sugar "in real time," and will tap "advanced data analytic platforms" for contextualized reports."
Andrew Conrad, the chief of Life Sciences explained that
the idea behind Google's miniature glucose meter is to give diabetics a tool that provides "actionable information." This, in turn, will assist patients to control diabetes.
"We're committed to developing new technologies that will help move health care from reactive to proactive," Conrad said in PR Newswire. "This collaboration is another step towards expanding monitoring options and making it easier for people with diabetes to proactively manage their health."
The wearable device will be manufactured by DexCom, which will make the sensors in side the Glucose meter. However, Google will take care of miniaturization.
DexCom will be in charge of sales of Google's wearable glucose meters along with a long range contract.
DexCom EVP of Strategy and Product Development Steve Pacelli explained that down the line there should be no objections to wearing Google's wearable glucose meter.
"It talks to your phone, it doesn't have to be calibrated, you don't take fingersticks anymore," Pacelli told investors during an earnings call.
This is the second glucose wearable Life Sciences project to hit the market. Google's science division inked a contract with Novartis in 2014 for the manufacture of contact lenses that monitor sugar levels, Digital Trends shared.
