Although continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology has advanced, many existing sensors remain expensive, invasive, and limited in terms of data sharing. Sensible Healthcare Systems (Sensible), a startup from YES!Delft, aims to change this by developing a sensor that is less intrusive, more affordable, and fully open in its data connectivity. Their goal is to improve the lives of people living with diabetes.
The challenge of diabetes management
Diabetes management demands constant vigilance. While continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors offer significant advantages over traditional finger-prick tests, they also have drawbacks. The sensors are costly, have invasive hypodermic needle-based designs, and have limited integration with health and dietary applications. These challenges result in millions of people lacking access to the benefits of continuous monitoring, as not all patients are eligible for insurance reimbursement.
From Consultancy to Startup
Tim Bruines, the CEO of Sensible, first encountered the challenges of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology while working as an exploration consultant. He was tasked with investigating why more patients were not using these sensors. He identified three significant hurdles: high costs, discomfort due to the sensor’s invasiveness, and closed data ecosystems. After thoroughly analyzing the situation, he wrote a business plan and was invited to become the CEO to lead the initiative.
As a consultant, I wrote a business plan addressing these issues. A month later, I was asked to bring that plan to life. And here we are, finalizing our R&D process five years later.”
A Smarter, More Connected Sensor
Sensible Health’s innovation lies in its use of microneedle technology, which significantly reduces discomfort, making the sensor nearly unnoticeable and enhancing patient comfort. Additionally, this sensor is more cost-effective than traditional sensors, which could lead to increased insurance reimbursement and better access for patients.
So far, all external users have told us that the sensor is fully unnoticeable. That feedback confirms we’re on the right track.”
Equally important is the sensor’s open-data approach, which eliminates the limitations of proprietary systems, allowing for seamless integration with various health apps. By prioritizing user experience and data interoperability, Sensible Health is setting a new standard in diabetes care. For instance, they recently formed a partnership to integrate the sensor with a platform designed for general practitioners, making glucose monitoring more accessible and interpretable for them.
YES!Delft: fueling innovation & saving time
Sensible Health joined the YES!Delft validation program in 2018. Over the course of just ten weeks, they were asked to conduct a hundred interviews for market research. This helped Tim and his team to transform a rough concept into a robust, market-ready plan. With support from EU and Dutch subsidies, equity investments, and a startup loan from Rabobank, the company has grown to a team of eleven people, working towards the last development phase.
Joining YES!Delft significantly saved us time. They helped us kickstart our journey in just ten weeks. Additionally, thanks to the extensive network provided by YES!Delft, we can connect with experts. I genuinely believe this has saved us one to two years compared to figuring everything out on our own.”
Working towards a clinical trial
Sensible Health is working towards launching its first large-scale clinical trial by the end of 2025. The startup has an ambitious long-term vision: to enable preventive healthcare through accessible glucose monitoring worldwide.
Currently, Sensible Health is seeking feedback from internal medicine specialists and diabetes nurses. Additionally, an open investment round invites angel investors passionate about transforming diabetes care to join this journey. If you are interested, please contact them via tim@sensible.health.
Your dream can become a reality too!
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Be the change, as change starts with you.
