Glucose-monitoring specialist Dexcom announced it is expanding its diabetes-management capabilities by offering direct connectivity to the Apple Watch for its G7 continuous glucose monitoring system via a dedicated Bluetooth connection.

The feature allows users to check their glucose readings in real-time without having their iPhone in hand. It is available in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, and launching in additional markets later this month.

When the company set out to design Dexcom G7, it prioritized hardware and software updates that would allow this feature to be unlocked for users.

One of those updates was adding further Bluetooth capabilities to the Dexcom G7 wearable sensor so it could wirelessly communicate glucose readings to multiple display devices (such as a smartphone, smartwatch, receiver or connected automated insulin-delivery system) simultaneously and independently.

"Direct to Apple Watch has been one of our most requested features, and we’re thrilled to roll it out to Dexcom G7 users," Dexcom chief operating officer Jake Leach to MobiHealthNews in an email. "People can go for a run, enjoy a meal out, and feel confident leaving their iPhone behind."

The Dexcom G7 data will be stored in the Health app.

THE LARGER TREND

The company's over-the-counter CGM patch called Stelo, which sends readings directly to a wearer's smartphone, recently received clearance from the FDA.

Garmin's digital watches were the first to integrate real-time Dexcom diabetes data into its wearables back in 2021.

In the diabetes space, researchers in Singapore from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) developed an app with gamification features focusing on foot care and foot ulcer self-monitoring.

Other players in this space include Massachusetts-based virtual diabetes care company Podimetrics and home-based foot-monitoring platform FootSense, which was developed by a research team in New Zealand.