Sava's $36M Raise Could End Fingersticks for Good

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-09

Sava Technologies just pulled off something big. The London-based HealthTech company closed a €32.08 million Series B round—that's about $36 million—to scale up manufacturing and get its tiny glucose sensor ready for the masses. And they're not doing it alone. Ascensia, a global diabetes care giant, led the round and signed on as their commercialization partner, starting in Europe. This isn't just another funding announcement. It's a signal that continuous glucose monitoring might finally get the upgrade it's been waiting for. ### The Problem with Today's CGMs If you or someone you love lives with diabetes, you know the drill. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are great, but they're not perfect. The filament that goes under your skin? It's about half an inch long. That's a lot of poking and prodding, and it can be uncomfortable. Sava's approach is different. Their microsensor is roughly ten times shorter—think less than a tenth of an inch. It still reaches the interstitial fluid just beneath your skin, but it does so with far less disruption. No more big needles. No more constant irritation. > "For decades, continuous monitoring has been held back by the same legacy technology. This is about to change," said Renato Circi, co-founder and co-CEO of Sava. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Ascensia to deliver something radically better to millions of people with diabetes." ### From Stealth to Serious Player Sava was founded in 2019 by two Imperial College London bioengineers, Renato Circi and Rafaël Michali. They spent five years in stealth before emerging in June 2024 with over €7.4 million ($8.3 million) in seed funding. Then, in July 2025, they raised a €16.6 million ($18.6 million) Series A. Now, with this Series B, total funding sits at €60.6 million ($68 million). That's a lot of confidence from investors like Balderton Capital, Norrsken VC, Simplyhealth Ventures, and others. But the real vote of confidence comes from Ascensia, which isn't just investing—they're putting their commercial muscle behind it. ### Why Ascensia Matters Ascensia might not be a household name, but they're a powerhouse in diabetes care. Based in Basel, they were formed in 2016 when PHC Holdings acquired Bayer Diabetes Care. They sell products in over 90 countries and have direct operations in 29 markets. Their CONTOUR line of blood glucose monitors is used by millions. By partnering with Ascensia, Sava gets instant access to distribution, regulatory expertise, and deep relationships with healthcare providers. That's huge for a startup trying to break into a market dominated by a few big players. ### What's Next for Sava? The company is planning a pivotal clinical study this year and is targeting CE approval for non-adjunctive use. In plain English: they want their device to be approved for making insulin dosing decisions without needing a fingerstick confirmation. That's the gold standard for a CGM—it means the device can replace traditional blood glucose testing, not just supplement it. If they get that approval, Ascensia will lead the commercial launch in Europe. And Sava will use the new capital to ramp up manufacturing and get ready for the spotlight. ### Beyond Diabetes Here's the kicker: Sava's microsensor platform isn't just for glucose. It's designed to track other biomarkers, too. That means it could one day monitor things like lactate, ketones, or even medications. The potential is enormous—not just for diabetes, but for personalized health monitoring in general. ### The Bottom Line Sava's technology could make continuous monitoring easier, less painful, and more accessible. With Ascensia's backing, they have a real shot at changing the standard of care. And for anyone tired of fingersticks and bulky sensors, that's news worth celebrating.