Dexcom partners and invests in smart ring maker ŌURA

Dexcom, a global leader in glucose biosensing, and smart ring maker ŌURA have announced a partnership aimed at transforming metabolic health management. By integrating Dexcom's glucose data with the Oura Ring's biometrics — such as sleep, stress, and activity data — the collaboration promises to give users a holistic view of their health.

The partnership also marks a significant investment, with Dexcom contributing $75 million to ŌURA's Series D funding, valuing the smart ring company at over $5 billion.

How does it work?

The partnership enables two-way data flow between Dexcom glucose biosensors, their associated apps, and the Oura Ring and its app. This integration allows users to track glucose levels alongside metrics like sleep, activity, and heart health — empowering them to understand how behaviors and biology influence metabolic health. Co-marketing efforts between the two companies will cross-sell products and expand their reach, with the first app integration expected in early 2025.

ŌURA's CEO, Tom Hale, highlighted the potential benefits: "This partnership with Dexcom will enable us to empower our members to make informed decisions and adjust behaviors to positively impact their biometrics and long-term health."

Why does it matter?

Metabolic health is a pressing issue, with 88% of Americans not in optimal metabolic condition, increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. By combining medical-grade glucose monitoring with personalized insights from wearable biometrics, Dexcom and ŌURA aim to bridge this gap.

Matt Dolan of Dexcom emphasized the transformative potential: "Integrating data from Dexcom glucose biosensors with the continuous insights and metrics measured by Oura Ring will redefine the category and attract new shared customers."

Such innovations empower users to make smarter health choices, correlating lifestyle factors like meal timing, exercise, and sleep with glucose responses for personalized guidance.

The context

Dexcom has been a pioneer in glucose biosensing for 25 years, launching innovations like the Stelo — the first prescription-free glucose biosensor in the U.S. Meanwhile, ŌURA has sold 2.5 million rings and is rapidly expanding, with expected annual sales doubling to $500 million by 2024.

This collaboration highlights the broader trend of consumerized healthcare, where advanced technology meets user-friendly design to empower individuals. As the global demand for personalized health solutions rises, partnerships like this are set to revolutionize how people engage with their health data.