Sava's $36M Bet: A Tiny Sensor That Could Change Diabetes Care Forever
Jan de Vries ยท
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Sava Technologies raises $36M to bring its tiny glucose microsensor to Europe, promising painless continuous monitoring for diabetes patients.
Imagine checking your blood sugar without pricking your finger. No test strips, no constant beeping from a bulky device. That's the promise of a tiny sensor developed by Sava Technologies, a London-based health tech startup that just raised $36 million to bring its innovation to Europe.
### The Big Raise
Sava announced a โฌ32.08 million ($36 million) Series B round led by Ascensia, a global diabetes care company. Other investors include Balderton Capital, Norrsken VC, Simplyhealth Ventures, JamJar Investments, and Pentland Ventures. This brings Sava's total funding to $68 million. Not bad for a company that only emerged from stealth mode in June 2024.
### What Makes Sava's Sensor Different?
Sava's microsensor is about ten times shorter than the filament in traditional continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). It's so small that it can measure molecules just beneath the skin without causing discomfort. And because it's designed for high-volume manufacturing, it can be scaled to reach millions of people.
> "For decades, continuous monitoring has been held back by the same legacy technology. This is about to change." โ Renato Circi, co-founder and co-CEO of Sava
### A Partnership to Scale Up
Ascensia, a subsidiary of PHC Holdings, will be Sava's commercialization and distribution partner, starting in Europe. Ascensia has a strong track record in diabetes care, selling products in over 90 countries. Together, they plan to launch Sava's device after it receives CE approval, which is expected following a pivotal clinical study this year.
### Beyond Diabetes
While Sava's first target is glucose monitoring, the platform is designed to track other biomarkers too. That means it could one day help people manage other conditions that require continuous monitoring. The potential is huge.
### What's Next?
Sava will use the new funds to scale up manufacturing and get ready for commercial launch. If all goes well, people with diabetes in Europe could soon have access to a less painful, more convenient way to monitor their health.
This is a story worth watching. A small sensor from a London startup might just change how millions of people live with diabetes.