Occuity enters accelerator to develop veterinary non-invasive glucose monitor

Occuity has announced the signing of a preliminary agreement with research-driven pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, to enter their start-up acceleration programme.

The programme will develop and exploit Occuity’s patented glucose monitoring technology to help animals suffering from diabetes.

Occuity’s handheld technology, works by shining a low-power beam of light into the eye and detecting the changes in refractive index in the aqueous humour that correlate closely with changes in its glucose concentration.

Currently being developed for use in humans, the technology within the device can take measurements in just a few seconds.

As it is completely non-contact, it’s use for supporting the treatment of diabetes in veterinary environments is appealing.

Occuity CEO, Dan Daly, commented:

“We have long thought about the potential application of our technology in veterinary.

“Diabetes in dogs and cats can occur at any age – most commonly at older than 6 years of age for cats and usually 4-14 years of age for dogs – just like diabetes in humans, it’s a growing problem.

“I am delighted to have signed this agreement and look forward to progressing the project with the team at Boehringer Ingelheim.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Open innovation digital Director, Frederic Dimur commented:

““As part of our startup program Synapse Acceleration, we are delighted to work with Occuity which has been selected for the 6th edition.

“We are looking forward to exploring both technical feasibility and veterinary usability tackling the challenge of diabetes management in pets.”