Ascensia Diabetes Care Partners with Sava Technologies to Advance Wearable Microsensor Technology for Glucose Monitoring
Ascensia Diabetes Care, a global diabetes care company and subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6523), has announced a strategic partnership with Sava Technologies, a venture-backed health technology startup, to support the development, introduction, and future commercialization of an innovative wearable microsensor designed to monitor glucose and other health-related biomarkers. The collaboration brings together Ascensia’s extensive experience in diabetes management and commercial distribution with Sava’s emerging microsensor technology, with the goal of improving the monitoring experience for people living with diabetes.
The partnership includes an exclusive commercialization and distribution agreement, initially focused on Europe, alongside a strategic financing arrangement. As part of the agreement, Ascensia has been appointed the exclusive distribution partner for Sava’s microsensor technology, which is currently under development. The companies intend to combine technological innovation with established commercial infrastructure to make the new monitoring solution accessible to people who require regular glucose monitoring.
The collaboration represents an important step in Ascensia’s efforts to expand its product portfolio beyond traditional blood glucose monitoring and explore next-generation technologies that could support more convenient, personalized approaches to diabetes care.
Advancing Minimally Invasive Glucose Monitoring
Sava is developing a wearable microsensor platform designed to continuously monitor relevant biomarkers and molecules located just beneath the skin. Glucose is the initial focus of the technology, reflecting the ongoing need for effective and convenient monitoring solutions for people living with diabetes.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have become an important part of diabetes management by helping users track glucose levels throughout the day. These devices provide information that can support treatment decisions, help users understand glucose fluctuations, and assist healthcare professionals in evaluating diabetes management.
However, the experience of wearing and using monitoring devices can vary depending on the technology, application method, and individual preferences. Sava’s microsensor platform is being developed to offer a minimally invasive alternative to existing CGM technologies while providing additional insights to users.
By monitoring glucose just beneath the skin, the technology aims to provide continuous information through a wearable format. The companies believe this approach could contribute to a different monitoring experience for people with diabetes, potentially addressing some of the practical challenges associated with long-term glucose monitoring.
Beyond glucose measurement, the microsensor platform is designed with broader applications in mind. Its potential to monitor additional biomarkers and molecules could eventually support new approaches to understanding health conditions and tracking disease-related changes. Although glucose monitoring is the initial development priority, the wider platform may create opportunities for future applications in personalized healthcare.
The technology remains under development, and its ultimate clinical performance, usability, and commercial potential will depend on successful clinical evaluation and the relevant regulatory approvals.
Clinical Development and Planned European Launch
As part of its development strategy, Sava is planning a pivotal clinical study of its CGM technology in 2026. The study is expected to represent an important milestone in evaluating the technology and supporting the company’s regulatory objectives.
Following the planned clinical development program, Sava aims to obtain CE approval and launch the microsensor within the next 18 to 24 months, according to the companies’ announcement. The intended timeline is subject to the successful completion of clinical and regulatory requirements.
The proposed product is being developed for non-adjunctive use. In the context of glucose monitoring, this means the device is intended to provide glucose information that can be used to make insulin dosing decisions without requiring routine confirmation through a separate blood glucose measurement, provided the product receives the necessary regulatory authorization for that use.
Such functionality could be particularly relevant for people who rely on insulin and need to make frequent treatment decisions throughout the day. Access to continuous glucose information can help users understand how their glucose levels respond to meals, physical activity, medication, and other daily factors.
Nevertheless, the suitability of any CGM system for insulin dosing depends on its demonstrated accuracy, clinical evidence, labeling, and regulatory authorization. Sava’s proposed technology will need to meet the applicable requirements before it can be marketed for its intended use.
The companies plan to make the CGM available through retail distribution channels and established reimbursement structures. This approach is consistent with Ascensia’s existing business model, which focuses on making blood glucose monitoring products accessible through established healthcare and commercial channels.
Europe will be the initial target market for the planned distribution, reflecting the companies’ European presence. Subject to regulatory approval, Ascensia intends to use its established commercial capabilities to support the introduction of the microsensor technology in the region.
The planned distribution strategy could help connect Sava’s developing technology with patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders involved in diabetes management. By working through established channels, the companies aim to build a route to market that aligns with existing practices for accessing glucose monitoring products.
Ascensia Makes Strategic Investment in Sava
Alongside the commercialization and distribution agreement, Ascensia has led Sava’s Series B financing round and made a strategic equity investment in the company.
The investment reflects Ascensia’s interest in emerging technologies that could complement its established diabetes care portfolio and support future growth. It also provides a financial component to the partnership, aligning the companies around the development and potential commercialization of Sava’s microsensor platform.
For Sava, the involvement of an established diabetes care company offers access to industry experience, commercial expertise, and an organization familiar with the needs of people who manage diabetes every day. Ascensia’s experience in glucose monitoring could be valuable as Sava advances its technology through clinical development and prepares for a potential market introduction.
For Ascensia, the investment creates an opportunity to participate in the development of a new monitoring approach while broadening its presence in the evolving diabetes technology market.
The partnership also reflects a wider trend in healthcare innovation, in which established medical technology companies collaborate with emerging businesses to develop products that combine specialized technical capabilities with established commercial infrastructure.
Rather than relying exclusively on internally developed products, these collaborations can help companies explore new technologies and expand their offerings in response to changing patient and healthcare needs.
In this case, the combination of Sava’s microsensor development program and Ascensia’s diabetes care experience provides a framework for advancing the technology toward potential commercialization, subject to the necessary evidence and approvals.
Supporting Ascensia’s Broader Diabetes Care Strategy
Ascensia has built its business around products and solutions designed to support people living with diabetes. Through its established presence in blood glucose monitoring, the company has developed experience in serving people who need reliable information to manage their condition.
The agreement with Sava supports Ascensia’s ambition to broaden its portfolio and explore technologies that could simplify diabetes management. The potential introduction of a minimally invasive wearable microsensor would give the company an opportunity to expand into a different monitoring category while drawing on its existing knowledge of the diabetes care market.
A key element of the strategy is combining innovation with accessibility. New monitoring technologies must not only demonstrate appropriate clinical performance but also be practical for everyday use and available through channels that patients can access.
The companies’ intention to pursue retail distribution and established reimbursement structures reflects this consideration. Reimbursement arrangements can play an important role in determining whether people can obtain medical devices and continue using them over time.
However, the availability and coverage of the proposed product will depend on regulatory authorization, market-specific reimbursement decisions, and commercial arrangements established before launch.
The partnership’s initial focus on Europe provides a starting point for the planned commercialization strategy. Depending on the product’s development and future business decisions, the companies may evaluate additional opportunities as the microsensor platform advances.
Broader Potential Beyond Glucose Monitoring
While the initial application is focused on diabetes care, the potential of Sava’s microsensor technology extends beyond glucose measurement.
The platform is being designed to monitor relevant biomarkers and molecules beneath the skin, creating the possibility of applications in other areas of health monitoring. In principle, advances in wearable sensing technologies could support more frequent collection of biological information and help users and healthcare professionals gain a more detailed understanding of changes in health status.
Such capabilities could eventually contribute to more personalized healthcare approaches, in which monitoring strategies are adapted to individual needs and provide information relevant to specific health conditions.
Any expansion beyond glucose monitoring would require appropriate technical development, clinical validation, and regulatory review for the intended applications. The companies have not established that additional biomarker applications are commercially available as part of the current agreement.
The broader potential nevertheless aligns with the strategic interests of PHC Holdings Corporation, Ascensia’s parent company. PHC Group, the collective name for PHC Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries, has a vision that emphasizes the use of precision technology to support more personalized approaches to healthcare.
The investment in Sava therefore represents not only an opportunity to explore an alternative approach to glucose monitoring but also a potential entry point into a wider field of wearable health-sensing technologies.
Leadership Highlights the Partnership’s Potential
Peter Bodlund, Chief Executive Officer of Ascensia Diabetes Care, emphasized the potential for microsensors to improve the daily experience of people managing diabetes.
“Microsensors have the potential to transform the day-to-day monitoring experience for people with diabetes. By bringing together Sava’s innovative technology with Ascensia’s deep diabetes expertise, strong reputation and commercial capabilities, we have an exciting opportunity to address important unmet needs in diabetes care. This is an exciting step for Ascensia as we continue to broaden our portfolio and pursue our ambition to simplify and improve life for people with diabetes,” Bodlund said.
His comments highlight the strategic rationale behind the collaboration: combining a new sensing approach with established knowledge of diabetes care and the capabilities needed to introduce products to the market.
Rafaël Michali, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Sava, also highlighted Ascensia’s experience and the importance of commercial reach in bringing new monitoring technologies to people who need them.
“Ascensia has spent decades earning the trust of people with diabetes and the clinicians who support them. Their strong global commercial organization, combined with our novel microsensor platform, gives us a route to a different monitoring experience at the scale this challenge demands. This partnership is the first step towards bringing that technology to the millions of people who need it,” Michali said.
The comments from both leaders underscore the complementary strengths of the two companies. Sava contributes its microsensor platform and development program, while Ascensia brings diabetes care expertise, commercial infrastructure, and an established presence in glucose monitoring.
The strategic partnership between Ascensia Diabetes Care and Sava Technologies establishes a framework for developing and potentially commercializing a new wearable microsensor for continuous glucose monitoring. The agreement combines exclusive European distribution rights with a strategic equity investment, aligning the companies’ commercial and financial interests as Sava advances its technology.
The next major milestones include the planned pivotal clinical study in 2026, progress toward CE approval, and preparations for a potential European launch within the following 18 to 24 months. These objectives remain dependent on successful clinical development and regulatory review.
If the technology demonstrates the required performance and receives the appropriate authorization, it could offer people with diabetes another option for continuous glucose monitoring through a minimally invasive wearable approach.
The partnership also provides a foundation for exploring the longer-term potential of microsensor technology beyond glucose, although additional applications will require further development and validation.
For Ascensia, the collaboration represents a step toward diversifying its portfolio and strengthening its position in diabetes technology. For Sava, it provides a strategic partner with relevant industry expertise and commercial capabilities to support the path from technology development to potential market access.
Ultimately, the success of the collaboration will depend on clinical evidence, regulatory outcomes, product usability, and accessibility. Together, the companies aim to advance a new monitoring approach that could help simplify glucose management and contribute to the broader evolution of personalized healthcare.
About Ascensia Diabetes Care
Ascensia Diabetes Care is a global company focused entirely on helping people with diabetes. Our mission is to empower those living with diabetes through innovative solutions that simplify and improve their lives.
We are home to the world-renowned CONTOUR® portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems. These products combine advanced technology with user-friendly functionality to help people with diabetes manage their condition and make a positive difference to their lives. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and other partners to ensure our products meet the highest standards of accuracy, precision and reliability, and that we conduct our business compliantly and with integrity.
Ascensia is a member of PHC Group and was established in 2016 through the acquisition of Bayer Diabetes Care by PHC Holdings Corporation. Ascensia products are sold in more than 90 countries, with direct commercial organizations in 29 countries worldwide. For further information, please visit the Ascensia Diabetes Care website at http://www.ascensia.com.
About Sava
Sava is a venture-backed consumer and medical device company developing a wearable biosensor platform that detects molecules just beneath the skin. Headquartered in London, Sava’s novel microsensor technology monitors biomarkers painlessly and in real time – starting with, but not limited to, glucose. www.sava.health
Join Sava’s waiting list at www.sava.health/waiting-list.
About PHC Holdings Corporation
PHC Holdings Corporation (TYO 6523) is a global collection of healthcare companies with a mission of contributing to the health of society through healthcare solutions that have a positive impact and improve the lives of people. Its subsidiaries (referred to collectively as PHC Group) include PHC Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Epredia, LSI Medience Corporation, Wemex and Mediford. Together, these companies develop, manufacture, sell and service solutions across diabetes management, healthcare solutions, life sciences and diagnostics. PHC Group’s consolidated net sales in FY2025 were JPY 364.4 billion with global distribution of products and services in more than 125 countries. www.phchd.com