A new sensor getting trialed in the UK may deliver an entirely new way of wearing continuous glucose monitor (CGM) technology—one that doesn't require a needle.

London-based startup SAVA has shown early results with its wearable that lasts up to 10 days, powered by its proprietary microsensing technology. Mainstream CGMs like Dexcom or Libre require an applicator to pierce the skin with a needle to insert a sensor. SAVA’s sensor application is needle-free.

SAVA’s technology relies on a microsensor that sits just beneath the surface. The company says it could not only measure glucose, but could eventually detect other molecules like cortisol, lactate, or ketones. In other words, the device could move beyond diabetes into stress, recovery, and broader health tracking. We’re already seeing a move to measure other analytes in the diabetes space—Abbott already has pump partners for its dual glucose-ketone sensor currently in development.

SAVA says early results from its 50-person trial showed “accurate, real-time glucose readings lasting up to 10 days” for the first 25 participants—well beyond what other micro-sensors have achieved. Its latest clinical trial was conducted independently by third-party investigators across Oxford and Cambridge, involving people with type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes.

The company recently raised $19 million in Series A funding after showing the promising results. This will go toward advancing trials, manufacturing, and regulatory work. That funding could help push the sensor closer to broader testing and, eventually, commercial use.

The CGM space is already booming—with the top two CGM companies generating about $11 billion annually. But cost, comfort, and accessibility still remain barriers. A needle-free option could open things up to more people with diabetes, as well as those with prediabetes or people interested in real-time health data.

It’s still early days, but a CGM with no needles could be a real shift in how we track glucose and beyond. Does a needle-free sensor interest you? Let us know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: Diabetech content is not medical advice—it’s for educational purposes only. Always consult with a physician before making changes to your healthcare.