The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) signed a research collaboration agreement with GlucoStats System Pte Ltd, a Singapore start-up medical device company, to develop key enabling technologies for non-invasive glucose device.

This development will be especially helpful for diabetic patients in their daily monitoring of blood glucose levels, which may be required up to six times a day. Current blood glucose monitoring methods are invasive and require drawing blood samples from the body. This could be painful, cause skin damage and pose a risk of infection; it is also inconvenient. Thus a non-invasive and accurate method for self-monitoring of blood glucose monitoring would greatly improve the treatment and quality of life for diabetic patients.

Professor Dim-Lee Kwong, Executive Director of IME, is upbeat about focusing this R&D effort on emerging markets and new opportunities for the microelectronics industry. “We are pleased to partner with an innovative home-grown company like GS to develop a non-invasive glucose monitoring device. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how technology can improve healthcare, particularly for diabetes treatment. Over the years, IME has developed capabilities in design of sensors, low power low voltage sensor signal conditioning and wireless circuits to enable novel biomedical technologies and applications. Recently, a single chip wireless electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring device was successfully demonstrated at the recent 3rd International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology (i-CREATe 2009)."

Said Dr Ting Choon Meng, Chairman & CEO of GlucoStats, "Very often, in developing new technologies, we also create new problems or give rise to other problems. As a result, we have to develop “peripheral technologies” to circumvent some of the problems which could be potential show-stoppers. Partnering with IME to overcome some of the key technical hurdles will bring us closer to realise our goal of developing a total non-invasive blood glucose monitoring solution. Our earlier partnership through HealthSTATS International Pte Ltd has given me the confidence that our partnership will be yet another success. With IME’s core competencies and our patented core technologies, I strongly believe our collaboration will enable us to make a quantum leap towards commercialisation of the final product. This is a perfect example of value creation by leveraging on each other’s expertise and know-how.”

Dr. Ting Choon Meng, Chairman & CEO of GlucoSTATS (left) and Prof. Dim-Lee Kwong, ED of IME (Right).

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