Diabetes Companion is a non-invasive glucose monitor. Testing is complete and regulatory applications have been filed in the UK, USA and Middle East. Rest your fingertip on the optical sensor, and your reading appears on the device and in the companion app. No needles, no test strips.
Glucose changes how light is absorbed and scattered in tissue. The challenge is separating that small signal from everything else in your finger.
Optical sensing
Optical sensors measure how light changes as it passes through the fingertip.
Machine-learning model
A model trained against laboratory reference measurements turns the optical signal into a glucose estimate.
Protected data
Readings are designed to be transferred securely and stored on a protected cloud platform.
Simplified illustration of the measurement principle.
What regulators review
Testing is complete and applications have been filed in the UK, USA and Middle East. Non-invasive glucose sensing is hard, so the evidence has to show reliable accuracy against laboratory reference values, including how the device copes with:
Different skin tones
Finger temperature
Hydration and blood flow
Movement and finger pressure
Low and high glucose ranges
Calibration and drift over time
Type 1, type 2 and people without diabetes
Fitness and medical-grade classification
Why it matters
Designed around everyday life with diabetes
What we are aiming for, and why it could make regular checks easier.
Pain-free by design
No lancets and no blood, so checking is never something to put off.
No strips to buy
The device is reusable, with no test strips or sensors to replace.
Less clinical waste
No used strips, lancets or sensor packs going into the bin.
Built for access
Developed with partners in Pakistan, where affordable testing is a real need.
These are design goals. Final performance claims depend on regulatory approval.
Comparison
How it compares with today's options
An honest side-by-side with the two main ways people check glucose today.
Swipe to compare
Finger-prick meters and CGMs are approved, widely used medical devices. Diabetes Companion has completed testing and its regulatory applications are under review.
Feature
Finger-prick meter
Continuous monitor (CGM)
Diabetes Companion
How it measures
A drop of blood on a test strip
A small filament under the skin
Light through the fingertip
Needles
Lancet every check
Sensor insertedReplaced every 1–2 weeks
None
Ongoing supplies
Strips and lancets
Replacement sensors
None expected
Readings
Single checks
Continuous, with alerts
Single checks
Status
Approved, widely available
Approved, widely available
Applications filedUK, USA, Middle East · awaiting approval
Calculator
What do test strips cost?
See how much finger-prick testing costs over time. In the UK, strips are often provided on NHS prescription, so this is the cost to whoever pays for them.
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Estimated spend on finger-prick supplies
Per month£0
Per year£0
Over 5 years£0
Estimate only, based on 30.4 days a month. Diabetes Companion pricing has not been set.
About the project
Research-led, built with partners
Diabetes Companion grew out of research at the University of Glasgow into affordable, needle-free glucose testing, especially for people in low- and middle-income countries.
Developed at the University of Glasgow with academic and clinical partners in Pakistan.
Supported by the University's GCRF Small Grants Fund and an EPSRC partnership grant.
Testing completed; regulatory applications filed in the UK, USA and Middle East.
Companion app available on iOS and Android.
Project lead: Prof Qammer Abbasi, University of Glasgow.
The device is not on sale yet. Testing is complete and regulatory applications have been filed in the UK, USA and Middle East for fitness and medical-grade use. Sales can begin only after approval. The companion app is already available on iOS and Android. For more information, contact Prof Qammer Abbasi.
What is the regulatory status?
We have completed testing and filed applications in the UK, USA and Middle East, covering both fitness (wellness) and medical-grade use. The applications are under review and the device is not yet approved. For details, contact Prof Qammer Abbasi.
Is the app available?
Yes. The Diabetes Companion app is available on iOS and Android. For download details, contact Prof Qammer Abbasi.
How accurate is it?
The device has been tested against laboratory reference measurements, and the results form part of our regulatory applications. We will publish accuracy figures once they have been peer-reviewed or reviewed by regulators. Until approval, it must not be used to make treatment decisions.
Does it replace my glucose meter or CGM?
No. Keep using the monitoring your diabetes team recommends. Diabetes Companion is not yet approved for medical use.
How does it work?
You rest a fingertip on the sensor. The device shines light through the finger and measures how it changes. A machine-learning model trained on reference measurements estimates glucose, and the reading is shown on the device and in the app.
Will it work equally well for everyone?
Optical readings can be affected by skin tone, temperature, hydration, finger pressure and movement. Performance across a wide range of people and conditions is part of what regulators review.
How much will it cost? Will it be on the NHS?
Pricing and availability through the NHS or insurers have not been decided. Because the device works without test strips or sensors, the aim is to lower ongoing costs.
Who is developing it?
Researchers at the University of Glasgow, led by Prof Qammer Abbasi, working with academic and clinical partners in Pakistan. The work has been supported by the University's GCRF Small Grants Fund and an EPSRC partnership grant.
What happens to my email if I join the waitlist?
We only use it to send updates about Diabetes Companion. We never sell or share it, and you can ask us to remove it at any time by emailing Qammer.abbasi@glasgow.ac.uk.
Early updates
Join the waitlist
Be the first to hear about regulatory decisions, study results and availability. For anything else, contact Prof Qammer Abbasi.
