Rockley Photonics targets clinic-on-the-wrist wearable with hydration sensor by end 2023 and with glucose indicator by start 2025

There are plenty of startups working on wearable clinic-on-the-wrist devices, many of them supposedly offering such important biomarking abilities like non-invasive blood sugar level measurement. While some claim to already have devices waiting governmental approval, Rockley Photonics has chosen to share a much more credible time frame of what can be expected from the biosensing specialist. A recent investor presentation has offered up a wealth of information, and it seems the next few years could be very exciting for those waiting for a trustworthy clinic-on-the-wrist wearable.

Numerous feasibility studies have already been concluded, with biomarkers such as heart rate, blood oxygen, core body temperature, and hydration already included in human studies. According to the relevant slide (see below), breath rate will soon be part of a human study, by the first quarter of 2023. Presuming everything goes as planned, Rockley Photonics expects to launch a platform with these relevant biomarker sensors by the second half of next year. This could be as part of the firm’s own Bioptx biosensing band or in conjunction with one of its many partners. A further slide indicates a predicted launch window of Q4 2023/Q1 2024 for a regulated Bioptx device.

But the development doesn’t end there, with Rockley also focusing on advanced biosensing such as blood pressure, glucose indicator, alcohol, and lactate measurement. Excitingly for those who have to continuously monitor their blood glucose levels, the slide reveals that human studies for the glucose indicator started in Q4 2022. However, it is clearly a long and difficult process, as Rockley figures a potential launch time of Q1 2025 is achievable. These advanced sensors could end up in a Bioptx Pro clinic-on-the-wrist wearable, with sampling taking place in 2025 and development ramping up in 2026.

Rockley has already built up a very solid reputation in this field and has reportedly been issued with 236 patents with a further 311 in a pending state. One of the firm’s most notable partners is Apple, so it seems likely that the biosensors being developed will eventually appear in a future wearable coming out of Cupertino. Perhaps the Apple Watch Series 10 might feature hydration level measurement while there could be a wait until the Apple Watch Series 12 or beyond before something like non-invasive glucose monitoring is included.

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