Boost for the sweat sensing tech that could transform – and save – lives globally

A university spin-out which is pioneering the use of sweat sensors to address the health risks associated with climate change has raised US$26m to expand its global reach.

Epicore Biosystems will use the funds to progress its personalised hydration and cloud analytics platform and expand into new biomarker targets relevant to malnutrition and environmental toxin exposures, as well as kidney and women-specific health conditions.

Its series B raise was led by the Steele Foundation for Hope (SFFH), which provides sustainable access to healthcare, water, food, and education for people in need worldwide.

Epicore’s suite of sweat-sensing wearable solutions includes the Gx Sweat Patch, commercialised with drinks giants PepsiCo and Gatorade, the Discovery Patch Sweat Collection System (FDA-approved device) and the Connected Hydration wearable and cloud platform tailored for industrial workers.

Excessive heat exposure poses significant global challenges, particularly for individuals at the highest risk of heat injury, such as industrial workers, children, and expecting mothers.

The threat of heat and the compounding effects of environmental toxins have been shown to result in acute health risks and chronic conditions at alarming rates.

Sweat-sensing solutions could offer real-time insights into hydration, stress, nutrition and wellness. Epicore measures sweat composition and fluid losses and alerts when a wearer is at risk of heat injury, dehydration or malnutrition.

CEO Dr. Roozbeh Ghaffari says: “Epicore has developed a new class of biochemical sensing wearables that enable the sports, fitness and connected worker sectors to unlock key health and wellness insights.

“Our technology delivers data-driven recommendations to the wearer to help manage these types of challenges. The Series B investment will help expand our global reach and accelerate the validation of new biomarkers needed to shape the future of personalised hydration and wellness strategies for all.”

Since completing its Series A over three years ago, Epicore expanded beyond sports and fitness into health and developed partnerships with multinationals in the energy, construction, manufacturing and aviation sectors. It was spun out of Northwestern University.

Joe Exner, CEO of Steele Foundation for Hope, says: “Epicore’s commitment to improving personalised health for those in critical need aligned strongly with our mission to improve the quality of life for people in need worldwide.

“We are proud to back Epicore’s pioneering work in sweat-monitoring technology, an innovation with significant potential to address the critical health challenges frontline populations face due to climate change.”