Diabetes and the search for a non-invasive blood test

Diabetes is a major problem around the world with a reported 29 million diagnosed sufferers in the US alone and a further “8.1 million” un-diagnosed. To all intents and purposes the industry has made great strides over the years but there is still one problem, blood tests. So far physically removing blood has been the only means of monitoring blood sugar levels although a recently released “under the skin” monitoring system is perhaps more acceptable. However, the search for a non-invasive blood test continues and while the likes of Google have joined many of the major pharmaceuticals, Apple has now created a team specifically looking at this issue.

30 people team

Reports by CNBC suggest that Apple has created a team of 30 people and located them in an office in Palo Alto with the task of creating a non-invasive blood test using optical sensors. There is a growing belief that Apple is looking to bring some kind of non-invasive blood test to its products with many already suggesting the Apple Watch could be the perfect device.

Diabetes and the search for a non-invasive blood test
Diabetes testing is a massive market.

Shares in glucose monitoring company Dexcom fell briefly when this news was released although the fact the shares did rebound suggests it may have been an overreaction. Even though Apple has a success rate which many in the technology industry can only dream of, the problem of invasive blood tests for diabetes sufferers has been around for decades.

Apple Watch

As we suggested above, the Apple Watch would seem to be the perfect product in which to incorporate a non-invasive blood test for diabetes sufferers. The idea that you could constantly monitor your blood sugar levels without feeling even the slightest pinprick would be a godsend to the many sufferers. There is no doubt that Apple is looking elsewhere for the bulk of its income stream going forward because the iPhone and similar products will not be able to support the company forever and a day.

Whether the “Apple diabetes team” leak was a well-managed affair is debatable but very little in the way of sensitive information leaves the Apple headquarters without the company’s prior knowledge. We all know that diabetes is a massive problem worldwide and one which will only get worse. One of the major problems is diagnosing diabetes sufferers although a simple non-invasive test has the potential to start addressing this issue as well.

Nothing will happen overnight

Apple will be well aware that nothing will happen overnight with regards to a potential non-invasive diabetes monitoring system. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Roche and other well-known pharmaceutical giants have been working on such a product for decades. Billions upon billions of dollars have been poured into this particular area and so far there is relatively little to show for it. Whether Apple can really supply the answer in the longer term remains to be seen although we could possibly see some form of collaboration as the market is potentially enormous.

Investors will be relieved that Apple is looking elsewhere for future income streams and we can safely assume that there are many similar projects underway behind-the-scenes. The company has a multibillion dollar war chest for investment as and when the right opportunities present themselves. Could Apple really become the saviour of diabetics?

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