Smart patches could become the next major wearables category after smartwatches and rings, according to Richard Yang, CEO of diabetes biosensor company Biolinq. Unlike watches that track digital biomarkers, smart patches monitor biomarkers linked to the body's internal chemistry. Biolinq raised $100 million in a Series C round in April 2025, bringing total funding to around $300 million. The company secured FDA de novo classification for its Shine biosensor in September 2025, making it the first needle-free continuous glucose monitoring device in the US market. The device uses microneedle arrays that only penetrate the skin's top layer. Yang says the consumer health domain is "hungry" for such technology. Biolinq plans to expand beyond diabetes monitoring, with future applications potentially tracking multiple health metrics simultaneously through semiconductor-based biosensor chips.

Biolinq, a California-based health tech company, has secured $100 million in Series C funding to advance its needle-free glucose monitor for Type 2 diabetes. The coin-sized patch uses electrochemical sensors to track glucose, lactate, and ketones without penetrating deeply into tissue. It also monitors sleep and activity, providing real-time feedback. The funding, led by Alpha Wave Ventures, will support development, U.S. regulatory submissions, and commercial rollout.