In Depth: China’s Blood Sugar Tracking Device-Makers Come Down Off a High

The once-promising domestic market for continuous glucose monitors has been undermined by a vicious price war and bureaucratic hurdles to sell in hospitals

Sensors for several CGM products on display. Photo: Cui Xiaotian/Caixin

A coin-sized sensor that can be stuck on the upper arm is transforming how people monitor their blood sugar.

Secured with an adhesive patch, the device uses a micro needle to penetrate the skin, allowing continuous wear for up to 14 days without interfering with daily activities like bathing or exercise. A smartphone app can display the wearer’s real-time glucose levels and trend curves, giving them insights into how certain foods change their blood sugar levels.

In July, a young professional in Beijing surnamed Ou Lin noticed an advertisement for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) at an entrance to a subway station. Ou Lin’s family has a history of diabetes and she had recently been suffering from fatigue, so she immediately ordered the device.