A*STAR and Biomicro partner up to develop new blood glucose monitoring device

SINGAPORE – The hassle and discomfort of daily finger-pricking blood tests for diabetics in monitoring their blood glucose levels may soon be a thing of the past after A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) and local biotechnology firm Singapore Biomicro today (Oct 29) announced they are collaborating to develop a surgically-implanted device as an alternative.

The new device aims to eliminate this routine by developing an implantable blood glucose monitoring device that will automatically monitor and transmit readings wirelessly to an external reader once it is surgically implanted.

Blood glucose monitoring is an integral part of successful diabetes management to prevent or delay the onset of long-term diabetes-associated complications such as heart disease, kidney failure and nerve damage.

Executive director of IME Professor Dim-Lee Kwong said that the research partnership will contribute to pioneering a new approach in improving the quality of life for diabetics.

“Technology advancements, coupled with increasing adoption of wireless healthcare devices are optimising patient care. It is encouraging to see Singapore companies capitalising on this market potential and to improve the lives of diabetics globally,” he said.

One in nine Singaporeans aged 18 to 69 are afflicted with diabetes, approximately 11.3 per cent of the local population, according to statistics from the Diabetic Society of Singapore.

Singapore Biomicro will tap on IME’s expertise in integrated circuits, sensor interfaces, wireless charging and connectivity technologies to develop the device through this collaboration. IME will also work with Singapore Biomicro on the integration of the ASIC with glucose sensors and miniaturised antennas to build a functional prototype of the device.

Chairman of Singapore Biomicro, Mdm Long Qiongzhen, said that the partnership “will create a world-class diabetes monitoring system”.

“We are confident that the partnership will lead to significant breakthroughs in device development for blood glucose monitoring that will have an important impact on healthcare service around the world,” she said.