Continuous glucose monitoring in 2026: overview
Continuous glucose monitoring uses a wearable sensor to measure glucose in the fluid beneath the skin at regular intervals. It gives people and care teams a view of glucose patterns that intermittent finger-prick checks cannot provide, supporting treatment decisions and insulin delivery. The field’s core challenge is making readings accurate and dependable across users and settings while keeping sensors comfortable, accessible and easy to use.
In July 2026, a multicenter study evaluated the accuracy and safety of Yuwell CT3, a real-time sensor for adults with diabetes. June 2026 news described an enzyme-free microneedle patch, an effort to move beyond glucose-oxidase sensing. Research and deployment are also extending into hospitals, including pediatric and critical-care settings, while non-invasive optical sensing draws interest. Evidence for CGM use in people without diabetes remains an open question.
- 1Clinical use widens: Research is extending beyond established diabetes management into inpatient, pediatric and other care settings, where accuracy and implementation still need careful evaluation.
- 2Sensor designs diversify: Enzyme-free microneedles and non-invasive optical sensing offer alternatives to conventional sensors, but each must demonstrate reliable readings in real-world use.
- 3Evidence outpaces patenting: Publication output rose 20.1% while patent activity fell 34.7%, suggesting a stronger near-term emphasis on clinical evidence and use than on new patent filings.
Top organizations working on continuous glucose monitoring
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to continuous glucose monitoring. Showing 7 of 3,000 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Dexcom
Corporate · United States |
Transcutaneous enzymatic electrochemical sensors | PAT 54 · PUB 55 NEWS 572 |
-27% | Dexcom develops and commercializes wearable real-time CGM sensors. Recent clinical studies have examined outcomes among people using its systems and compatibility with insulin-delivery technology. |
| 2 | 
Abbott Laboratories
Corporate · United States |
Transcutaneous enzymatic electrochemical sensors | PUB 19 · NEWS 569 | -32% | Abbott develops the FreeStyle Libre family of wearable glucose monitors. A recent randomized trial reported improved glucose outcomes with Libre use among people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin. |
| 3 | 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Other · United States |
General | PUB 1 · NEWS 701 | -31% | The FDA regulates and clears CGM devices for the U.S. market. Recent coverage reports its approval of Abbott’s Libre Duo glucose-and-ketone monitor. |
| 4 | 
Medtronic Inc.
Corporate · United States |
Transcutaneous enzymatic electrochemical sensors | PUB 22 · NEWS 572 | -48% | Medtronic develops CGM sensors, including Simplera, and integrates glucose readings with insulin-delivery products such as its InPen system. |
| 5 | 
Stanford University
Research · United States |
General | PUB 140 · NEWS 36 | +5% | Stanford researchers contribute clinical and population-health evidence on CGM use, including its role in diabetes care for people with chronic kidney disease. |
| 6 | 
Novo Nordisk A/S
Corporate · Denmark |
General | PAT 1 · PUB 42 NEWS 198 |
-41% | Novo Nordisk investigates how CGM data can guide diabetes treatment, including titration of its once-weekly insulin icodec. |
| 7 | 
Tandem Diabetes Care
Corporate · United States |
General | PAT 24 · PUB 23 NEWS 168 |
-27% | Tandem integrates third-party CGM sensors with its t:slim X2 insulin pump and Control-IQ automated insulin-delivery system. Recent analysis compared outcomes after users switched between Dexcom G6 and G7 sensors. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 55 total
GlucotrackrGlucotrack has pursued non-invasive glucose monitoring with an ear-worn device and is also developing an implantable continuous blood-glucose sensor. Its implantable system has entered early clinical evaluation.
Pacific Diabetes TechnologiesUnited StatesPacific Diabetes Technologies is developing a combined glucose-sensing and insulin-delivery cannula intended to reduce the number of separate insertions. Recent feasibility studies evaluated the combined system and a patch-pump configuration.
SupersapiensUnited StatesSupersapiens built an athlete-focused glucose-monitoring application around Abbott’s Libre Sense biosensor. Studies have used the system to examine glucose patterns during sports and exercise.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 2,433 total
- Stanford UniversityUnited StatesStanford researchers contribute clinical and population-health evidence on CGM use, including its role in diabetes care for people with chronic kidney disease.
Harvard UniversityUnited StatesHarvard researchers study CGM data and its clinical use, including glucose patterns in type 2 diabetes and guidance for monitoring in hospital settings.
Copenhagen UniversityDenmarkResearchers affiliated with the University of Copenhagen study CGM use in clinical care, including inpatient implementation and monitoring of people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease.- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where continuous glucose monitoring innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 3,000 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transcutaneous enzymatic electrochemical sensors | A skin-worn sensor uses an enzyme-driven electrochemical signal to estimate glucose, balancing established measurement with insertion, wear and sensor-stability constraints. | 263 |
Compugroup Medical U.S., Senseonics, Abbott Laboratories |
| Implantable fluorescent sensors | An implanted sensor uses fluorescence to track glucose over extended wear, reducing frequent sensor changes but requiring insertion, removal and dependable calibration. | 52 |
Compugroup Medical U.S., Dexcom, Medtronic Inc. |
| Microneedle sensors | Microneedles access fluid just beneath the skin with less invasive sampling, but durability, signal quality and consistent performance remain technical challenges. | 375 |
Medtronic Inc., Compugroup Medical U.S., Dexcom |
| Non-invasive optical sensing | Optical methods infer glucose from light interactions without piercing the skin, but separating the glucose signal from other tissue effects is difficult. | 80 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Apollon Co., Raman Co |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
The data lists $57,354,488 in grants across 34 grants since 2020. Funding-round entries are not a reliable measure of CGM-specific investment because the recorded rounds include unrelated activity.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Aug 2026Continuous glucose monitors are becoming increasingly popular, including among people without diabetes. But there is no scientific evidence that the technology improves health or prevents disease in healthy people.…The Medical News
- Aug 2026Digital Health Is Moving Beyond Devices Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology has evolved rapidly over the past few years. While advanced sensors continue to improve accuracy and wear time, the real innovation…Technology on Medium
- Jun 2026Research Alert Newswise — A new policy analysis finds that nearly 10% of U.S states and territories have Medicaid policies that impose barriers to accessible continuous glucose monitors, an essential tool for diabetes…Newswise: MedNews
- Jun 2026Managing type 2 diabetes can be a daily challenge. People often need to balance medications, diet, physical activity, stress levels, and regular blood sugar checks. Even with careful effort, many individuals struggle to…Knowridge Science Report
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about continuous glucose monitoring
What companies are working on continuous glucose monitoring?
Dexcom, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Inc., Senseonics, Tandem Diabetes Care, Insulet and Hoffmann-La Roche are active in CGM. Dexcom, Abbott and Medtronic develop wearable sensors, while Senseonics focuses on an implantable system. Tandem and Insulet connect sensor data with insulin-delivery products, illustrating how competition spans both sensing and integrated diabetes care.
Which continuous glucose monitoring startups are promising in 2026?
Glucotrackr, Pacific Diabetes Technologies and Supersapiens are startups pursuing distinct directions. Glucotrackr has worked on an ear-worn non-invasive device and an implantable continuous blood-glucose sensor. Pacific Diabetes Technologies is developing a combined glucose-sensing and insulin-delivery cannula. Supersapiens built an athlete-focused app around Abbott’s Libre Sense biosensor.
Which universities and research centers lead continuous glucose monitoring research?
Stanford University, Harvard University and Copenhagen University are among the research organizations active in CGM. Their work includes clinical and population-health evidence, glucose patterns in type 2 diabetes, and inpatient implementation. Other studies examine sensor accuracy and use in specialized settings, including chronic kidney disease and hospital care.
How much funding has continuous glucose monitoring received?
The data lists $57,354,488 in grants across 34 grants since 2020. This figure is the recorded grant total, not a complete measure of investment in the technology. Funding-round entries include unrelated organizational activity, so their aggregate should not be presented as CGM-specific funding.
Who holds the most continuous glucose monitoring patents?
Dexcom leads the listed patent holders with 54 patents, followed by I-SENS with 31 and Tandem Diabetes Care with 24. Insulet, Abbott Diabetes Care and Roche Diabetes Care each have 20 listed patents. These figures identify prominent holders in the data, not a complete measure of each company’s broader intellectual property.
Is continuous glucose monitoring patent activity growing?
No: patent activity declined 34.7% in the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months, with 324 patents recorded in the 24-month window. Publication activity moved in the opposite direction, rising 20.1% year over year. This divergence points to expanding research interest alongside a slower pace of patenting.
What are the latest developments in continuous glucose monitoring?
Recent developments include the Yuwell CT3 accuracy and safety study in July 2026 and news of an enzyme-free microneedle patch in June 2026. Other recent research examines CGM performance in hospitalized patients, including children and people with chronic kidney disease. Together, these efforts address new sensor materials and the reliability of readings in clinical settings.
What are the main approaches in continuous glucose monitoring and how do they differ?
The main approaches are transcutaneous enzymatic electrochemical sensors, implantable fluorescent sensors, microneedle sensors and non-invasive optical sensing. They differ in how they access or infer glucose and in the trade-offs they face. Wearable sensors require skin insertion, implants involve a procedure, microneedles must maintain reliable signals, and optical methods must distinguish glucose from other tissue effects.
What are the applications of continuous glucose monitoring?
Applications include type 1 and type 2 diabetes management, gestational diabetes, inpatient and critical care, and metabolic health and wellness. Type 1 diabetes management has 4,106 listed documents, and type 2 diabetes management has 4,031. Recent work also evaluates hospital use, while CGM use in wellness settings continues to raise questions about the strength of evidence.
Which countries lead continuous glucose monitoring?
The United States leads with 17,110 listed documents, followed by the United Kingdom with 4,654 and Germany with 3,105. China, Switzerland and Japan are also among the countries with substantial activity. These figures describe document activity in the dataset and do not, by themselves, measure market share or clinical adoption.