WeiTang Transcends the 'Hundred Diabetes Apps' Battle, Redefining Chronic Disease Management with Glucose Health Concept

Feng Yanfei, Founder and CEO of Weitang

Before interviewing Ms. Feng Yanfei, CEO of WeTang, VCBeat prepared a two-page interview outline, aiming to gain insights into WeTang’s performance in 2016 and 2017 by exploring several key areas: the company’s current business status, its perspectives on the diabetes management software market, and its future strategic plans. However, the first words Ms. Feng uttered upon meeting the reporter were strikingly unexpected: “I’m sorry, but none of the questions on your interview outline today are likely to yield the answers you’re looking for.”

Interviewees who deviate from the interview outline often do so because they already have their own perspectives in mind. Perhaps Feng Yanfei will bring some explosive insights to this exclusive interview. As expected, her next remark was: “WeiTang believes that the so-called era of the ‘Hundred Glucose Meters War’ has come to an end, and in 2017, WeiTang ushered in a new era of blood glucose health.”

Once, the vast business opportunities in chronic diabetes management became a fiercely contested battleground for mobile internet companies, leading to a situation described as the “War of a Hundred Diabetes Apps.” While the term “a hundred” is an exaggeration, there were indeed dozens of app-based enterprises. After experiencing a capital winter, the once-hyped diabetes sector has gradually cooled down.

Visiting Weitang’s official website, we can see that the brand’s slogan has been updated to “Focus on Blood Glucose Health.” Ms. Feng Yanfei stated, “A new era of blood glucose health, marked by dynamic monitoring technology, has begun. Everyone concerned about blood glucose health—not just patients—will receive services through Weitang.”

But what is dynamic technology? What is blood glucose health? How does Weitang operate?

Amid the fierce competition in the blood glucose monitoring market, some diabetes management companies have either independently developed fingerstick blood glucose meters equipped with Bluetooth or SIM cards, or utilized middleware to upload fingerstick blood glucose data. However, with rapid technological advancements occurring at an unprecedented pace, the advent of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology signals that all fingerstick blood glucose monitoring technologies are inevitably on a downward trajectory. Feng Yanfei stated, “Over the next decade, we will witness transformative changes in the field of blood glucose health. We are now in the third month of this new decade. In the future, middleware and Bluetooth-enabled glucose meters will remain marginal technologies, incapable of building a new empire.”

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is to finger-prick glucometers what the iPhone is to feature phones. Users no longer need to draw blood; they can simply scan at any time to understand their physiological status. Feng Yanfei describes it as having headlights while driving at night, allowing for easy mastery of one’s bodily condition. If traditional glucometers provide individual snapshots of blood glucose levels, CGM technology delivers a complete movie. Through continuous monitoring devices, users gain a comprehensive, mirror-like reflection of their glycemic status. These data profiles help individuals with diabetes navigate around the pitfalls and obstacles along the way—namely, complications.

Feng Yanfei demonstrated to reporters how to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). With a gentle press, the sensor adhered smoothly to the skin of the arm. Once the electrode portion of the sensor penetrates into the subcutaneous tissue, it automatically collects data every minute and records readings every 15 minutes. The sensor can be used for up to 14 days without interference from sleeping, showering, or swimming. Crucially, it does not require fingerstick blood calibration, allowing users to access continuous glucose curves at any time—offering both convenience and accuracy.

Differences Between Fingerstick Blood Glucose Meters and Continuous Glucose Monitors

“I’m not sick, so I don’t need to pay attention.” This is the attitude many people have toward blood glucose levels. Elevated blood sugar causes no pain or itching, leading many individuals to remain blindly optimistic until a devastating diagnosis arrives, at which point it is too late. WeiTang believes that focusing solely on patients who have already acknowledged their illness will only narrow the path forward.

Tang Yuanxin, Chief Operating Officer of WeiTang, emphasized, “Even for healthy individuals, it is crucial to monitor blood glucose levels regularly.” In cases of mildly elevated blood glucose, there are often no symptoms; individuals may even appear flushed and in good spirits. Many patients with diabetes only realize they have had the disease for some time after various complications have already developed, thereby missing the optimal window for treatment and significantly compromising their quality of life. The functional capacity of pancreatic islets in healthy individuals has its limits, placing them at substantial risk of developing diabetes in the future. Therefore, attention to blood glucose health is essential not only for patients but for everyone.

“I have some issues with my blood sugar, but I still want to live a good life.” This is the most authentic sentiment expressed by many users. The label of diabetes itself is heavy enough. Coupled with the cloud of “incurable disease,” it places immense psychological pressure on patients and their families. Rigid directives from healthcare providers regarding control and intervention, combined with societal discrimination and well-intentioned misconceptions from friends and relatives, further exacerbate the deep despair already felt by these individuals.

“However, modern technology can fully stabilize blood glucose levels, and stability signifies health and cure.” Feng Yanfei offered his own perspective in response to the prevailing view that diabetes is incurable.

Ms. Feng Yanfei cited several user cases from her immediate circle. For instance, Patrick (Huang Dacheng, President of WeTang Medical Services) has an aunt who began insulin injections at the age of 30. She managed her daily life with great discipline, remained free of any complications, and lived to the ripe old age of 98, passing away peacefully. Her case exemplifies WeTang’s mission: to enable users to enjoy lifelong health. Another example is one of Ms. Feng’s alumni, a successful entrepreneur just over 40 years old. When he was first diagnosed with diabetes, his fasting blood glucose level was 17 mmol/L, rising to 22 mmol/L after meals. After two weeks of assistance from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), his fasting blood glucose dropped to 6.1 mmol/L. Ms. Feng is confident in helping him maintain this level, avoid complications, and achieve lifelong health.

Ms. Feng Yanfei emphasized to VCBeat, using a dynamic blood glucose chart: “After the age of 35, everyone should monitor four key indicators, referred to as ABCD. For blood glucose, the target is ‘4-5-6-7-8’—maintaining levels that are neither too high nor too low. Specifically, this means keeping fasting blood glucose above 4 mmol/L but within 5.6 mmol/L, and postprandial blood glucose within 7.8 mmol/L. The purpose of the Weitang service is to keep users’ blood glucose levels within the green zone throughout their lives. By avoiding the red and black areas shown in the chart, complications can be prevented.”

Upon hearing this, VCBeat understood the change that Weitang aims to make: to prevent users from developing complications. Indeed, complications are the true enemy of diabetes and constitute the actual disease. Weitang’s goal is to help everyone understand their blood glucose status, enabling them to maintain a healthy condition throughout their lives through its products and services.

MicroSugar’s Goal Sounds Ambitious—How Can It Be Achieved?

Yan Fei showed reporters a diagram of the industrial chain, which she referred to as "scattered pearls." Only by stringing these pearls together can they shine brilliantly and realize their value of hundreds of billions.

The traditional diabetes industry has surpassed a scale of 100 billion yuan, with numerous giants dominating the sector. It is a vast ecosystem encompassing glucose monitoring, medical services, pharmaceuticals, insulin delivery devices, and various health supplements and functional foods. However, these players share a common flaw: their profits rise as patients’ conditions worsen, while improved user health adversely impacts their bottom line. Consequently, patients are left to grapple alone with continuous data analysis—determining what to eat and how much medication to administer—throughout their lives. This burden ultimately leads many users to abandon disease management altogether.

What WeTang does is string these scattered pearls into a necklace tailored for each user. WeTang’s services represent a new model of mobile internet-based care. In the era of mobile connectivity, decisions about what patients eat and how much medication they take can be managed through systems and algorithms. Users need only turn to WeTang to have these needs addressed.

To this end, WeTang has created China’s first intelligent clinical decision support system—“Tianyan.” Built on over a decade of big data accumulated by the Asian Diabetes Foundation, the WeTang Tianyan system leverages proprietary algorithms to predict and analyze the risk of complications. WeTang has introduced the world’s leading continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, FreeStyle Libre, and pioneered a series of CGM-based data analytics and service products, such as “Wentang Wuyou” (Stable Sugar Peace of Mind). Additionally, WeTang collaborates with leading insulin pump manufacturers to develop refined insulin pump titration services. In the future, WeTang will continue to partner with top pharmaceutical companies and food brands to provide users with more diverse and enriched options.

Taking dynamic glucose monitoring technology as an example, WeiTang’s service model is “30% hardware, 70% software.” While WeiTang sells continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, it also provides methodologies for data interpretation. Beyond mere measurement, the core value lies in interpreting glucose profiles and offering guidance on lifestyle adjustments and medication management. If our body is likened to a car, then CGM serves as its headlights. However, professional coaching is essential to drive the car effectively. This is particularly crucial when navigating challenging conditions, such as mastering insulin administration techniques or dietary strategies, which require personalized, hands-on guidance. In this analogy, CGM technology is the headlight, while WeiTang is the driving instructor. In the near future, data will be displayed in real time through WeiTang’s platform and can be shared remotely with family and friends. All the tools and services users need are available through WeiTang.

Feng Yanfei stated that WeiTang is confident in its ability to craft a bespoke necklace for each user, helping them restore their lives to their former beauty.

After securing tens of millions of US dollars in Series B financing at the end of 2015, WeTang began to increase its investment in technology and services.

2016 was a warm winter for Weitang. Feng Yanfei revealed, “As Weitang’s products and services have gradually improved, sales revenue saw a rapid upward trend in September 2016, and we expect to reach break-even in the near future. As a pioneer and leader in blood glucose health services, we estimate that the turnover from our products and services will reach RMB 100 million in 2017. With the continuous introduction of consumer-facing device products, the ongoing expansion of sales channels, and the scaling up of related services, we are poised to aim for RMB 200 million.”