Metronom Health

Metronom Health, established in 2009, is a medical device company focused on developing a next-generation Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system for diabetes management. The company's inception was driven by founder Troy Bremer's firsthand experience with the shortcomings of existing glucose monitoring technologies, as his wife has type 1 diabetes. This personal connection to the problem fueled the research and development of a new sensor technology. Olav Bergheim, a seasoned entrepreneur in the life sciences sector and founder of the accelerator Fjord Ventures, is also a founder of Metronom Health and serves as its CEO and President. Located in Laguna Hills, California, with a software division in Belgium, the company operates as a portfolio company of Fjord Ventures, which provides strategic management and shared infrastructure.

The business is centered on the development and eventual commercialization of a disruptive CGM system for individuals with diabetes. The company has pursued this goal through significant fundraising, securing a total of $49.1 million over five rounds, including a $22.2 million Series B round in December 2020. In May 2021, Metronom Health entered into a joint venture with Dinova Medtech and Ascendum Capital to develop, manufacture, and sell its CGM system in China, targeting the country's large and growing diabetic population.

Metronom Health's core product is a CGM system that utilizes a proprietary opto-enzymatic technology, distinguishing it from the common electro-chemical methods used by competitors. This technology involves a sensor with an oxygen-sensitive polymer at the end of a fiber-optic waveguide. It measures the afterglow duration of light fired at the sensor to determine glucose levels, a process likened to a metronome measuring time. This method is designed to offer superior accuracy, particularly in the dangerous hypoglycemic (low glucose) range. The system consists of a small, discreet, wearable patch with an expected 14-day wear time. Data is transmitted to a smart device app, which can make predictions about glucose level trends and send alerts. Key benefits highlighted include improved reliability, user-friendliness, and a cost structure intended to make the technology more accessible and encourage broader adoption.

Keywords: continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, diabetes management, medical device, opto-enzymatic sensor, glucose sensing, diabetes technology, wearable health tech, Laguna Hills, Fjord Ventures, Troy Bremer, Olav Bergheim, non-invasive glucose monitoring, diabetes care, digital health, medtech, hypoglycemia accuracy, sensor technology, insulin management, chronic disease management, life sciences