Sweat-Based Glucose and Lactate Monitoring: Bohashou Bio Launches Hela Smart Band, Offering a Non-Invasive 'Black Tech' Alternative to Blood Tests for Diabetics

As the weather turns cooler, the wearable market shows signs of a resurgence.

IDC’s Quarterly Wearable Device Market Report, released in May, showed that global wearable device shipments reached 49.6 million units for the quarter, representing a 55.2% year-on-year increase. Among these, wrist-worn devices such as smartwatches and fitness bands saw a 31.6% year-on-year growth. These devices remain the dominant segment in the overall wearable market, accounting for 63.2% of total shipments.

Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “BHS Biotech”), established in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in 2016, is a market contender riding the wave of innovation. BHS Biotech is a high-tech enterprise dedicated to detecting human glucose and lactate levels through sweat analysis. Its core product, the “Haila Smart Band,” is a wearable bio-intelligent wristband based on biochip-enabled sweat detection technology.

Haila Wristband (Image provided by the interviewee)

Sweating is a normal manifestation of human metabolism and an important indicator of overall health. It is reported that each individual has 2 to 5 million sweat glands. Due to variations in their anatomical locations, properties, and densities, these glands exhibit different responses to sensory and psychological stimuli, as well as to thermal stimuli.

In 2016, Gao Wei’s research team at the University of California, Berkeley achieved a qualitative leap in wearable technology by analyzing chemical components in sweat to monitor various physiological indicators. Tao Xunshun, Founder and CEO of Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., LTD, stated that sweat testing yields indicators as comprehensive as those obtained from blood tests. However, sweat testing can be performed ex vivo, offering a non-invasive detection method.

To use the device, users dip their fingers into sweat, lightly touch the sensor with the sweat, and press the main control button to obtain sweat glucose readings. The Haila bracelet employs the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ nanoscale electrochemical gold-ceramic electrode technology for biosensors. Based on the principle of specific interactions between biomolecules, it facilitates oxidase-catalyzed reactions of glucose and lactate in sweat, thereby calculating the concentrations of glucose and lactate in the sweat.

The glucose monitoring function is designed for individuals with a critical need to monitor blood sugar levels, including diabetic patients, pregnant women, and middle-aged and elderly individuals with the “three highs” (hypertension, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia), enabling detection of blood glucose fluctuations. Additionally, in healthy individuals, excessive exercise or near-anaerobic activity can impair lactate clearance and breakdown, leading to lactate accumulation. Prolonged intense exercise results in lactate buildup, causing muscle stiffness, fatigue, and soreness. The Haila smart bracelet analyzes sodium ions, potassium ions, and lactate ions in sweat, using these biomarkers to alert wearers to potential muscle fatigue, dehydration, or other hazardous conditions.

Upon purchasing the Hela bracelet, users are entitled to one complimentary diabetes genetic screening. The gene sequencing service provided by Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., Ltd. screens for diabetes-associated genetic loci in healthy individuals, helping users understand their genetic makeup and prevent hereditary diseases. The bracelet’s packaging includes a saliva collection tube; users need only collect 2 mL of saliva at home and mail it back to the Hela Biological Testing Center. Results will be available within two weeks via the Hela Bracelet APP. Shanghai BHS Biotechnology provides free sequencing of diabetes-related genetic loci, with sequencing conducted by teams from BGI Shenzhen or DecodeDNA Shanghai.

It is reported that Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., LTD positions the Haila Band as a high-end, fashionable consumer electronic product targeting athletes and health-conscious consumers. Regarding product iteration, the company plans to extend the lifecycle of the first-generation Haila Band to 18 months while increasing technological investment to expand the range of detectable physiological parameters, such as cortisol and neuropeptides. Once sufficient biological data has been accumulated, Shanghai BHS Biotechnology will upgrade the product and expects to apply for Class II medical device certification from the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) in the first half of next year.

Common features of smart bands include step counting, NFC, offline payments, and heart rate monitoring. Due to severe product homogenization, user stickiness remains low. In addition to standout features such as sweat glucose and lactate detection, the Haila smart band also offers trend blood pressure monitoring, sedentary reminders, phone finding, GPS positioning, and an SOS emergency function.

As an enthusiast of smart wearables, Tao Xunshun often wears a watch or fitness tracker 24 hours a day. To align with its premium fashion positioning and make the fitness tracker more suitable for business scenarios, the team at Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., LTD prioritized aesthetic design alongside functionality during product development.

Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., LTD has invited renowned Italian fashion designer Sebas Marcos and multiple Chinese Rococo designers to collaboratively design the aesthetic appearance of the Haila Bracelet. It is reported that the designers fully incorporated the magical sequence from mathematical formulas—the Fibonacci sequence—into the bracelet’s external design. Every point, line, extended dashed line, 45° right-angle arc, and intersecting line of the Haila Bracelet strictly adheres to the golden ratio and the application of the Fibonacci sequence.

The Haila wristband consists of curved glass and a hole-free strap. The buckle features a grooved sliding mechanism, similar to the stepless speed control of an electric fan, allowing for one-touch opening. Additionally, the Haila wristband supports multi-user remote login, enabling children to remotely monitor the physiological parameters and health status of elderly family members.

According to Tao Xunshun, the Haila smart bracelet is currently in its crowdfunding phase. Within less than three days of its launch on Suning.com, it attracted attention from over 10,000 users. Moving forward, Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., Ltd. plans to expand its crowdfunding campaigns to both domestic and international e-commerce platforms. The company will gradually transition to sales through official flagship stores on e-commerce platforms, as well as leverage key opinion leaders (KOLs) via influencer marketing, live streaming, and social commerce. Offline, it will develop distribution networks involving distributors, channel partners, and agents. Meanwhile, Shanghai BHS Biotechnology will conduct extensive testing to ensure comprehensive product functionality and an exceptional user experience, while striving to deliver the first batch of products as soon as possible.

In addition, Shanghai BHS Biotechnology Co., LTD. plans to launch a nationwide "Sweat for Glucose Testing Day" in 2020, calling on the public to engage in collective exercise, promote universal sweating and glucose testing, and replicate the viral success of the Ice Bucket Challenge to expand this initiative globally. To this end, the company is undertaking a new round of financing and seeks support from relevant institutional investors.