INSIGHTS / News

Former SETsquared Scale-Up member and University of Bath spin-out, Transdermal Diagnostics, a pioneering innovator in non-invasive health monitoring, has been awarded £800k in funding through the prestigious SBRI Healthcare initiative.

This funding will accelerate the development and commercialisation of its ground-breaking needle-free Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system, designed to transform diabetes management for children and young people.

As part of a national initiative led by SBRI Healthcare and the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC), in partnership with the Health Innovation Network, this award recognises Transdermal Diagnostics’ potential to deliver a game-changing solution for the 36,000 children and young people in the UK living with diabetes.

The company’s next-generation skin-wearable features disposable sensor patches and a rechargeable transmitter, enabling seamless, pain-free blood sugar monitoring through a user-friendly mobile app. Unlike traditional CGMs that rely on needle-based sensors, Transdermal Diagnostics’ proprietary technology extracts glucose through the skin without breaking its barrier, eliminating pain, reducing skin damage, and increasing patient adherence.

“This funding marks a significant milestone in our journey to redefine glucose monitoring for children and young people,” said Prof Richard Guy, Director and Co-founder of Transdermal Diagnostics. “We are committed to bringing to market a truly non-invasive alternative that improves quality of life and empowers young patients and their families with real-time, needle-free glucose monitoring.”

“The affordability of Transdermal Diagnostics’ smart patches will democratise access to CGM for all those in need. With a low cost of goods and a scalable manufacturing process, this technology presents an unparalleled opportunity for the industry to bring next-generation diabetes care to a much wider population,” said Giles Hamilton, Chair of Transdermal Diagnostics’ Board of Directors.

This latest funding from SBRI Healthcare provides a springboard for further product development, clinical validation, and strategic partnerships. With a growing global diabetes market projected to reach $140bn by 2030, Transdermal Diagnostics is uniquely positioned for commercial success, offering a disruptive solution that addresses critical pressure points in diabetes management.

“Investors and industry partners have a unique opportunity to be part of a high-growth, high-impact innovation in digital health and remote patient monitoring,” said Dr. Luca Lipani, Co-founder and CEO of Transdermal Diagnostics. “There is a clear clinical need for a painless and accessible glucose monitoring solution, and our non-invasive CGM technology is designed not just to improve diabetes management but to drive a paradigm shift in how multiple chronic conditions are managed.”

Transdermal Diagnostics is part of the SETsquared’s Scale-Up Programme, benefiting from its support network and resources.