Noninvasive wearable device measures glucose in sweat

There’s exciting news in Arizona’s bioscience ecosystem: Arizona State University (ASU) startup DNA Biotronix, a sweat-based technology that revolutionizes health and well-being management, has joined our WearTech Applied Research Center. DNA Biotronix is developing a noninvasive wearable device that measures glucose concentrations in sweat for people with prediabetes and diabetes. This partnership with PEI’s WearTech Applied Research Center will support DNA Biotronix through lab testing and product development.

DNA Biotronix has been awarded significant funds that will support its product development. Through Arizona Commerce Authority’s fund supporting applied research, the project received an award of $50,000. As the grand prize winner of the 2023 Skysong Innovations Startup Challenge, DNA Biotronix was awarded an additional $50,000 in seed investment funding to match the public investment.

“This funding will propel us through the next phase of prototype development and move us closer to obtaining FDA clearance,” said Josh Hihath, principal investigator of DNA Biotronix and director and professor at the Center for Bioelectronics and Biosensors. “The research, development and funding resources we can access as a startup in Arizona’s biotech space serve as a crucial link in advancing our technology from academia to the marketplace.”

Additional Financial Support for Wearable Technologies

DNA Biotronix joins other startups in the wearable technology space in Arizona that are creating innovative products for residents throughout the state and the world. In 2022, the Arizona State Legislature approved $3 million to go towards research and development of wearable technologies via applied research centers. Selected applicants from the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Applied Research Program received funding, including $1.8 million that was awarded to a new cohort of technology innovation projects housed under the WearTech Applied Research Center.

"Startups like DNA Biotronix and many others in Arizona’s diverse biotech ecosystem are strengthening the state’s standing as a global hub for startups and entrepreneurs,” said Kathleen Lee, Director of Applied Research Centers for the Partnership for Economic Innovation (PEI). “Public-private partnerships like the collaboration between ASU, DNA Biotronix and the WearTech Applied Research Center are essential in supporting technological advancements to build a better future and quality of life for Arizonans.”

The applied research model accelerates product development and commercialization of new technologies by combining private and public sector support. PEI’s WearTech Applied Research Center focuses on guiding biomedical technology projects from the initial idea generation phase to project formation, validation and commercialization, effectively helping develop innovative tools that are instrumental to improving quality of life.

For more information about PEI’s Applied Research Centers Program, visit AZPEI.org/applied-research. To learn more about DNA Biotronix, visit DNAB.bio.

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