Common Sensing

Common Sensing, founded in 2012, operated in the diabetes management sector, developing smart health technology for individuals using disposable pen-injectors. The company was established in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by MIT graduates James White and Richard Whalley. Their personal experiences fueled their realization of the significant data and adherence challenges faced by diabetes patients, leading to the creation of Common Sensing. Whalley, with a background in chemistry and experience as a consultant in the biotech industry, and White, who pursued a master's degree at MIT, combined their expertise to address this gap in diabetes care.

The company's core product was the Gocap® System, a smart cap designed to fit on disposable insulin pens. This device automatically logged insulin dose amounts and the time of administration, transmitting this data to a connected smartphone application. The core of this system was a patented optical signature matching technology that utilized machine learning and off-the-shelf components. The Gocap app provided users with insights into their usage patterns, offered reminders, and allowed for the manual entry of glucose levels and diet information, which could then be shared with healthcare providers. The system aimed to solve the problem of clinicians having limited visibility into their patients' insulin usage between appointments. The technology was applicable not only to insulin but also to other injectable medicines like fertility hormones and human growth hormone.

Common Sensing's business model was centered on creating value within the healthcare ecosystem rather than charging patients directly. It proposed a subscription model shared between insurance providers and pharmaceutical companies. The company formed strategic partnerships with key industry players, including Sanofi, Dexcom, and the Joslin Diabetes Center for clinical trials. It also collaborated with Haselmeier, a self-injection device manufacturer, and Flex for product design and manufacturing. After raising approximately $9.76 million in funding over several rounds, with lead investment from Waterline Ventures, the company's assets and intellectual property were acquired in 2019 by three companies, including Bigfoot Biomedical and Haselmeier, and is no longer operational as an independent entity.

Keywords: diabetes management, smart pen cap, Gocap, insulin adherence, injectable medicine, digital health, medical device, dose tracking, chronic care, patient data, remote monitoring, medtech, Cambridge startup, James White, Richard Whalley, Bigfoot Biomedical acquisition, connected device, insulin pen, medication management, health technology