BOYDSense breathes new life into blood glucose monitoring

At GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, Ben Delhey, CEO of Toulouse-based BOYDSense introduced a compact device designed to monitor markers of chronic disease through a simple breath test—an approach aimed at individuals who prefer to avoid needles. Lightweight and discreet, the device can be carried easily in a bag or jacket pocket.

In an exclusive interview with HealthTechAsia, he explained how the portable device removes the discomfort and inconvenience associated with glucose monitoring by identifying and measuring concentrations of metabolites in exhaled breath. 

“Over the past 12 months, we have developed a breath platform that can be leveraged for different purposes,” he said. The first application is blood glucose monitoring, which is currently undergoing clinical trials.

With a targeted launch in the first half of 2028, the device aims to become the first non-invasive glucose monitoring solution of its kind. It is designed to support individuals with pre-diabetes and early-stage type 2 diabetes, including non-insulin patients and GLP-1 users, using breath alone.

“Worldwide, there are an estimated one billion people at risk of or living with pre-diabetes, and around 500 million diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and the numbers continue to grow,” the CEO noted.

Despite the rising prevalence, Delhey highlighted that current monitoring options often pose hurdles to regular use. “There is large-scale disengagement, lack of awareness, or resistance to monitoring. One reason is invasiveness, such as finger-pricking or inserting sensors. Cost and accessibility are others,” he said, adding that continuous glucose monitors, though effective, are expensive and less suitable for early-stage patients.

“We also frequently see late diagnoses—often in hospital settings when complications are already severe. At the same time, many people are increasingly interested in preventive health, similar to the appeal of devices like the Apple Watch. Wellness apps, however, do not measure biological markers. We are providing a new biomarker that does not currently exist.”

Developed with a leading UK design agency, the device prioritises accessibility and adopts a wellness-oriented aesthetic rather than a traditional medical look, following user feedback.

Users simply breathe into a mouthpiece containing a one-way membrane to prevent contamination.  With on-board algorithms, the device instantly shows whether a user is in, below, or above range—using American Diabetes Association guidelines shaped in collaboration with metabolism experts and diabetologists—rather than giving a single glucose number.

It works through proprietary MOx sensors detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—very small molecules that interact with blood plasma and pass from the bloodstream into the lungs. These VOCs are measurable non-invasively through a single exhalation, providing invaluable diagnostic information on the status of metabolic and health conditions.

“We’ve identified more than 20 associated with glucose, including acetone,” Delhey explained, indicating that one VOC alone isn’t sufficient to detect or monitor disease.

“Our miniaturised breath-sampling module is unique. It’s critical to ensure no leakage, high repeatability, and accurate VOC concentration measurement. When you exhale, there is a lot of information we don’t need—such as CO₂—so we focus on the end-tidal portion of the breath.”

A smart algorithm analyses and calculates glucose concentration, with AI used to identify hidden patterns in the data and support labelling. Data can then be transmitted to electronic health records and health or wellbeing platforms.

“We are very close to the gold standard in accuracy,” Delhey said, citing clinical performance with 99.5% of readings in clinically safe zones (A and B). “What we have is good enough.”

He also referenced the ongoing clinical trials. “We have tested 350 subjects and conducted sophisticated clinical studies. One, for example, is currently underway at the University Hospital Bern in Switzerland.”

Looking ahead, BOYDSense aims to become a leader in breath-based health monitoring for risk stratification, detection, and monitoring of a range of chronic conditions. 

“We want to go beyond glucose,” Delhey said, pointing to future applications in areas such as fatty liver and kidney disease. The company also plans to expand the technology to offer single glucose readings.

“I would also like, one day, to offer our solution in public point-of-care settings, where the public can use it to stratify risk, detect and monitor disease, and connect with remote monitoring services. I’m a firm believer in preventive health. The idea is to provide multiple health parameters with just one breath.”