Three Chinese Digital Health Startups' Strategies to Tackle the Indispensable Glucometer Market

In the field of diabetes, blood glucose monitoring is an indispensable topic. Blood glucose monitoring relies on blood glucose meters. Currently, there are two major categories of products on the market: one is traditional foreign brands,70%market share, and second, domestically produced blood glucose meters that have developed rapidly in recent years, capturing the domestic market through low prices.30%the blood glucose meter market.

For the use of various types of diabetesAPPFor users, a critical step is how to transfer data intoAPPThe key distinction lies in whether data is entered manually or transmitted automatically. The user experience varies significantly across different methods of manual entry, while various automated transmission technologies each have their own characteristics. For startups, the critical strategic decision is whether to bundle their solution with hardware. If they attempt to develop their own blood glucose meters, the primary challenge is ensuring data accuracy. Conversely, if they focus solely on the software side, the main hurdle is achieving rapid data entry and ensuring compatibility with a wide range of blood glucose meters.

Tang Yisheng: A Solution via a Single Data Cable



In March 2015, the Tang Yisheng APP successfully integrated with Roche blood glucose meters. This means that users of Roche blood glucose meters, which hold the largest market share in China, can achieve data transmission between their devices and mobile phones without needing to upgrade or replace their meters. This is undoubtedly a significant benefit for Roche blood glucose meter users. (For more details about Tang Yisheng, click here）

Based on the solution provided by Tang Yisheng, the platform uses a data cable to connect the smartphone to the Roche Accu-Chek Active blood glucose meter. Users of the Tang Yisheng app can choose to sync all data from the meter or only the most recent reading. The entire process requires no complex setup involving internet connectivity or Bluetooth, making the operation simple and efficient.

Xu Feng, co-founder of Tang Yisheng, told VCBeat that they would gift this data cable to users who purchase Roche blood glucose meters through the Tang Yisheng app’s marketplace.

Among the myriad of blood glucose meter brands, why choose the Roche Accu-Chek Mobile? Xu Feng considers it an outstanding device. In the past, using other glucose meters required loading lancets and test strips, a process that took several minutes and was inconvenient for use on the go (such as at the dining table). In contrast, the Roche Accu-Chek Mobile can hold six lancets and 50 test strips at once, delivering results in just over 10 seconds from sampling to display. This makes it highly suitable for scenarios requiring mobile and convenient blood glucose monitoring. Additionally, the Roche Accu-Chek Mobile boasts minimal data error, high stability, and strong user reputation, positioning it as Roche’s current flagship product.

Through collaborations with hospitals and online-to-offline (O2O) channels, Tang Yisheng has acquired 400,000 users (data provided by Tang Yisheng). By leveraging this data connectivity and the inherent flexibility of its software platform, the company employs “smart power” rather than “hard power” to capture a large user base from traditional blood glucose meters. This approach offers advantages in both cost and efficiency that are currently unmatched by many smart hardware manufacturers.

Tang Hushi: Embarking on the Path of Data Openness



2015Year2Month, received investment from SAIF Asia and Sinovation VenturesAThe "Sugar Nurse" that received round investment announced the addition of a feature called“Apricot”components, via GPRS The network automatically transmits blood glucose test results obtained from the glucometer to the cloud, catering to individuals who are unable to use smartphones andAPP...user needs, while also safeguarding the privacy of some users. Family members and health management platforms can remotely monitor users’ blood glucose testing results and remotely set up testing schedules, reminders, and voice messages. Meanwhile, Tang Hushi (Sugar Nurse) has announced its open-source initiative and plans to open up the interface technologies of its blood glucose meters and components to partners, collaborating with other mobile application developers and health management platforms.

The Tang Hushi smart blood glucose solution addresses the challenge of blood glucose data collection for elderly individuals living alone. By leveraging its technological advantage in data communication, Tang Hushi has made a significant stride in enhancing the ease of use for blood glucose meter data transmission.For information on Tang Hushi's financing, click here.）

HoneyBox: The Middleware Dream



Wu Guanli, co-founder of Tianjin Guanyi Biotechnology, told VCBeat that the company’s new product—Miyou Box (English nameMIOBOX) is a middleware product that connects traditional mainstream blood glucose meters to smartphones. It enables users to aggregate current and historical blood glucose data measured by the meter, automatically transmit it to a mobile app via wireless signals, and customize, view, and export charts of blood glucose indicator trends with a single click, facilitating simpler, faster, and more intuitive continuous monitoring of blood glucose fluctuations.

The product offers excellent scalability and is currently compatible with the best-selling brands and models from Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and Abbott. It will also rapidly expand support and openness to other brands and models in the future.API, enabling the integration of more third-party medical devices such as glucose meters and blood pressure monitors. Combined with a companion mobile app named "MiYou," it also facilitates data-driven recommendations and social networking for individuals with diabetes, thereby delivering peer education with clinical value. For details, seeHere

An Attempt to Integrate the Diabetes Industry Chain: Tang Yisheng’s Open Strategy

Within the industrial and ecosystem chains of the diabetes sector, blood glucose monitoring is merely one component; hospitals, exercise management, dietary management, health management companies, pharmaceutical enterprises, diabetes education providers, and insurance companies are all interconnected.

VCBeat has long been following Tang Yisheng, which stands out in the construction of its ecosystem. Its open mindset has led to a rapid increase in its user base, with significant growth achieved in just a few months since10increased to over 10,0004010,000.

In the realm of blood glucose monitoring, in addition to establishing data connectivity with Roche glucometers, Tang Yisheng is actively preparing to integrate data channels with companies such as Tang Hushi and Miyou Box. This initiative empowers users to freely choose the most accurate and convenient blood glucose testing options. Rather than manufacturing its own glucometers, Tang Yisheng adopts a collaborative approach with major glucometer manufacturers to avoid competition and seek mutual benefits.

From the hospital perspective, in addition to collaborating with major Grade 3A hospitals, Tang Yisheng is actively partnering with community health centers, private hospitals, and private clinics to provide online users with practical medical services ranging from basic to premium levels. Examples include Tianjin Metabolic Disease Hospital, Beijing Jindian Diabetes Hospital, Tiantan Puhua Hospital, Tianjin Santan Hospital, and Beijing Health Express (medicgo) clinics, etc.

In terms of exercise, Tang Yisheng andeAccompanied by (pointsHere), body memory, and other data interfaces to enable motion monitoring and management.

On the insurance company side, Tang Yisheng is in2015This year, we will actively launch diabetes cost-control pilots with companies such as Tianjin Social Security and Beijing PICC.

In addition, Tang Yisheng has established strategic partnerships with Chengdu Kangfulong Pharmacy, Beijing Maishitong Insulin Pump, and low-sugar food companies to jointly explore the diabetes market.

Entrepreneurs are lonely, yet they are not alone. As the saying goes, “Even a hero needs the support of three others.” On the entrepreneurial journey, it is only by moving forward together with a large cohort of partners that we can collectively expand and strengthen the market. Tang Yisheng’s open mindset is worthy of emulation by all entrepreneurs.

The partnership between Tang Yisheng and eBan was forged within the VCBeat Entrepreneur Circle. As an open platform, the VCBeat Entrepreneur Circle has already facilitated nearly 10 collaborative cases. VCBeat welcomes more entrepreneurs to join us, so we can move forward together. ClickHere, learn how to join the VCBeat startup community. We are here waiting for you.

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