Beyond the Wrist: Smart Patches Emerge as Next Frontier in Wearable Health Tech

While smartwatches and rings have cemented their place on wrists and fingers, the next wave of wearable technology may be sticking closer to the skin. Industry leaders are now looking to discreet, adhesive patches as the platform poised to deliver deeper, more personalized health insights by monitoring the body's internal chemistry directly.

"The wearables category is booming, but it's largely been about digital biomarkers—heart rate, steps, sleep tracking," says Richard Yang, CEO of biosensor firm Biolinq, in an interview with Medical Device Network. "The logical next step is moving beyond the wrist to devices that can track the biomarkers intrinsic to our metabolic health. In my view, that's going to be smart patches."

Yang's company is at the forefront of this shift. In September 2025, Biolinq secured a landmark de novo FDA classification for its 'Shine' biosensor as a Class II medical device. This greenlight made it the first needle-free continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system to reach the U.S. market. The device, indicated for people with type 2 diabetes not using insulin, employs a microneedle array that penetrates only the top layer of the skin, aiming to provide a painless alternative to traditional CGMs.

The potential market is vast. According to GlobalData, the wearable technology sector is projected to grow from $99.5 billion in 2022 to over $290 billion by 2030. To capitalize on this, Biolinq raised $100 million in a Series C round in April 2025, bringing its total funding to approximately $300 million to fuel U.S. market penetration for Shine.

The core differentiator for smart patches, Yang argues, is their ability to access a different class of data. "Smartwatches track what the body is doing; smart patches can track what the body is processing," he explains. The Shine device consolidates glucose and metabolic activity tracking, with the goal of helping users stay within a target glucose range at least 70% of the time—the 'Time in Range' (TIR) benchmark set by the American Diabetes Association.

But the vision extends far beyond diabetes management. "The consumer health domain is hungry for actionable insights," Yang notes. "Everyone should have the opportunity to understand their relationship with food, diet, exercise, and sleep. If we can provide that on a patch that doesn't draw blood or hurt, it's a monumental opportunity."

The future, he suggests, lies in multi-analyte patches. By using a semiconductor approach in its biosensor chips, Biolinq envisions a single patch that could simultaneously monitor glucose, lactate, and other key biomarkers. "We could get a multi-analyte view in a single patch with no incremental cost. That's the greatest advantage of all—a consolidated, holistic health snapshot," Yang concluded.

User Reactions

Dr. Anya Sharma, Endocrinologist: "As a clinician, the promise of pain-free, multi-marker monitoring is exciting. It could revolutionize preventive care and chronic disease management, moving us from reactive to truly proactive health models."

Marcus Chen, Tech Investor: "The market data speaks for itself. The funding and regulatory milestones here signal strong investor confidence. This isn't just a new gadget; it's a foundational shift in biosensing platform technology."

Elena Rodriguez, Diabetes Advocate: "Finally, some focus on a less invasive option! As someone who pricks their finger multiple times a day, 'pain-free' isn't just a marketing term—it's a lifeline. But let's see the real-world cost and accessibility before we call it a revolution."

David K. Miller, Tech Blogger: "Hold on. We're swapping a watch for a sticker and calling it the 'next boom'? This feels like a solution in search of a mass problem. The FDA clearance is significant, but until I see robust data and a clear consumer value proposition beyond a niche medical group, I'm skeptical of the hype."

This report is based on an original publication by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.