Sava Raises €32m to Scale Its Next-Generation Glucose Sensor

London-based health-tech startup Sava has raised $36 million (€32 million) in Series B funding to bring a new type of glucose monitor closer to market, combining fresh investment with a commercial partnership that could help it reach patients across Europe.

Announced on 9 October 2026, the round was led by Ascensia Diabetes Care, with participation from Balderton Capital, Norrsken VC, Simplyhealth Ventures, JamJar Investments, Pentland Ventures and other investors. The funding brings Sava's total raised to $68 million.

The announcement also included a European commercialisation and distribution agreement with Ascensia, a diabetes-care business within PHC Group. That means Sava is securing both the capital to prepare for launch and an established industry partner to help take its technology to market.

Making continuous glucose monitoring more accessible

Sava is developing a wearable microsensor designed to measure glucose continuously without the longer sensor filaments used in conventional continuous glucose monitors.

Its first product aims to make glucose monitoring less invasive and potentially more accessible for people who need to track their levels regularly.

The company was founded in 2019 by bioengineers Renato Circi and Rafaël Michali, who met while working in biosensing research at Imperial College London. Their longer-term ambition extends beyond glucose, with the underlying platform designed to detect other molecules beneath the skin.

That wider potential could eventually open up applications across personalised and preventative health. For now, however, the immediate priority is demonstrating that its glucose technology can meet clinical and regulatory requirements.

Funding the move towards commercialisation

Sava says the new capital will support manufacturing scale-up ahead of a pivotal clinical study. The company is targeting European CE approval for non-adjunctive use and commercialisation within the next 18 to 24 months. These are targets, not confirmed approval dates. (Sava)

Ascensia's involvement could prove particularly important. Established distribution relationships and experience in diabetes care may help Sava navigate the route from product development to a wider European market.

Nevertheless, clinical validation, regulatory approval, manufacturing consistency and competition from established device makers remain significant hurdles.

What founders can learn from this round

Sava's fundraising offers an important lesson for health-tech founders. Strong technology matters, but investors and commercial partners also need to see a credible path to adoption.

In regulated industries, that means planning for clinical evidence, manufacturing capacity and distribution well before a product reaches the market.

Sava's deal also shows why strategic investors can offer more than money. A partner with industry experience and established routes to customers can help bridge the gap between innovation and commercial growth.

The next test will be whether Sava can turn its funding and partnership into an approved, reliable product that patients and healthcare professionals are willing to adopt.

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For health-tech founders, what matters more when scaling a new product: securing investment or finding the right commercial partner?