A non-invasive glucose monitor in the form of the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor has been given a target launch timeframe that will likely be encouraging news for the millions of diabetics who have to rely on painful finger-sticking methods. The Afon Blood Glucose Sensor can be used with a wearable device and offers continuous blood sugar level monitoring.
Afon has been teasing its non-invasive glucose monitor again, with a recent Twitter post featuring a rendered image of the sensor alongside some adapted wearables and connected smartphones. The text of the post leads with “Imagine not being restricted by your finger stick blood glucose monitor”. Millions of people managing diabetes have to resort to pricking their fingertips with lancets to retrieve blood samples for measurement, with some having to do this up to 10 times a day leading to tissue scarring and pain. The Afon Blood Glucose Sensor promises to be a non-invasive and painless alternative method.
Excitingly, the same thread offers up a potential launch window for the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor, with a representative of the firm stating, “realistically we will be looking to have the device on the market in early 2024”. There does seem to be some fierce competition in regard to the production of the first widely approved fully non-invasive continuous glucose monitor (CGM), but it is vital for any company involved in this kind of development to make sure their product is both safe and accurate, as it could offer potentially life-saving data to millions of users in the future. There were indications that the Afon device could turn up in late 2022, but early 2024 allows time for further planned trials.
The Afon Blood Glucose Sensor is also attracting funding attention, with the company recently announcing it had been awarded a sum of €2.4 million (US$2.56 million) from the European Innovation Council to help continue its progress with a commercial version of its non-invasive glucose monitor. The CGM utilizes high-frequency microwaves to monitor blood glucose levels, and it can then send the relevant data to a companion app on a smartwatch or smartphone. There is no needle present at all, so the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor is fully non-invasive. Pricing for the CGM is yet to be revealed, but it seems likely that a lot more about the device will be unveiled throughout 2023.
Realistically we will be looking to have the device on the market in early 2024.
— Afon Technology LTD (@AfonLtd) February 9, 2023
