French medtech companies are tackling diabetes and innovating, as proven by the sheer number of patents filed in 2021. Each year, the National Industrial Property Institute (INPI) ranks the top patent filers, highlighting companies that invest in innovation. The French startup PKvitality, specializing in Health and Sport Bio-wearables, is a new entrant to the prestigious ranking with the K'Watch Glucose, the first Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in the form of a smartwatch, aimed at changing the daily life of millions of diabetes patients. The company, a leader in diabetes innovation, joins a ranking that includes companies from the transport sector in the top three: Safran, Stellantis and the Valeo Group. 

French medtech companies are tackling diabetes and innovating, as proven by the sheer number of patents filed in 2021. Each year, the National Industrial Property Institute (INPI) ranks the top patent filers, highlighting companies that invest in innovation. The French startup PKvitality, specializing in Health and Sport Bio-wearables, is a new entrant to the prestigious ranking with the K'Watch Glucose, the first Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in the form of a smartwatch, aimed at changing the daily life of millions of diabetes patients. The company, a leader in diabetes innovation, joins a ranking that includes companies from the transport sector in the top three: Safran, Stellantis and the Valeo Group. 

39 patents to monitor diabetes, without gestures or pain! 

Founded in 2013, PKvitality is one of the most promising French medtech companies to join the INPI ranking in the SME category. At the intersection of medical devices and consumer electronics, PKvitality is developing the K'Watch Glucose: a painless, accurate and discreet glucose monitoring smartwatch. With 39 patents filed, it incorporates several innovations for the benefit of patients:

• No pain thanks to the SkinTaste technology, based on micro-pins (<1mm long) 
• Integration of a soft and resistant adhesive, thanks to the watch strap that holds the patch in place and protects it from shocks
• An ultra-discreet device with the patch hidden behind the watch, access to blood glucose data directly on the screen and the ability to receive hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia alerts with a simple vibration on the wrist

According to Luc Pierart, founder of PKvitality,, "Our ambition is to offer diabetes patients a technological innovation that becomes a part of their daily life. Despite the challenges, nothing is impossible! We have succeeded in developing a reliable, discreet, and painless product, at the intersection of medtech and consumer electronics. Such an innovation must be protected in an extremely competitive world, which is why we have filed 39 patents to protect our concept with the INPI and the EPO (European Patent Office). We hope that K'Watch will change the daily life of millions of diabetics! ". 

Clinical studies on humans that demonstrate its success

Last May, at the ATTD trade show in Barcelona, PKvitality unveiled the results of its first clinical study on humans. The measurement of glucose levels for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes is a demanding process in terms of accuracy, tolerance, and pain. Based on these criteria, the study conducted by PKvitality was a success, demonstrating an excellent user experience and high accuracy of the device. The trial took place at the AMCR Institute, a clinical research center specializing in diabetes and obesity, and of renown with regards to medical devices related to metabolism. Other clinical studies on humans are ongoing. PKvitality has also joined the largest e-health accelerator in Europe, Future4Care. Finally, a crowdfunding is ongoing on the French platform, the French platform, WiSEED . 

About PKvitality

PKvitality is a health & sport bio-wearable start-up currently working on the K’Watch Glucose, a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device in the form of a smartwatch currently in clinical trials. It will enable a painless, discreet, and precise monitoring of systemic glucose level anytime and anywhere. Using the same technology, PKvitality is also working on K’Watch Athlete, a smartwatch which will provide real-time monitoring of lactic acid – an indicator of muscle fatigue – to significantly improve training and performance among athletes.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 960071.