Prototype Smart Ring and Digital Tools Expand Biomarker Health Tracking

A prototype smart ring capable of tracking multiple biomarkers in sweat could expand wearable health monitoring beyond fitness metrics, while Amazon One Medical has launched a feature analyzing blood test results to provide personalized wellness scores, and pharmacies are using point-of-care biomarker testing to drive supplement use. These diverse approaches highlight a growing trend toward biomarker-based health insights.

The prototype device, called the Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM) , was developed by researchers at the University of California San Diego and published in Nature Communications. The compact ring, with a 3-cm external diameter, can simultaneously measure up to four biomarkers—including glucose, ketone, uric acid, lactate, ascorbic acid, and alcohol—from sweat passively harvested using an osmotic hydrogel. The fully integrated device contains multiplexed electrochemical sensors, low-power electronics, and a flexible zinc-silver oxide rechargeable battery providing up to 12 hours of operation. Biomarker data is wirelessly transferred to a connected Bluetooth-enabled device; prototype experiments used a custom interface. Preliminary studies with healthy individuals and those with type 1 diabetes found that the estimated blood glucose concentration from sweat had a mean absolute relative difference of approximately 13.7% against blood values, with other biomarkers also showing strong correlations. Personalized calibration remained stable for up to two months, though the researchers note that larger clinical studies are needed.

Meanwhile, Amazon One Medical has unveiled Health Insights, a new feature that provides structured analysis of bloodwork biomarker results and personalized recommendations. It is integrated with Health AI, One Medical’s conversational agent, allowing members to ask questions about their results in real time. Eligible members must be over 18, have at least one blood test in their patient chart from the past year, and not have certain excluded conditions. The bloodwork analysis is powered by a partnership with Lifeforce, which draws on peer-reviewed medical literature and longitudinal studies. One Medical’s clinical team conducted a review to ensure alignment with current clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices. The feature’s success will be measured through member engagement, satisfaction feedback, provider input, and health outcome improvements.

In a related example of biomarker-guided health interventions, Malaysia-based pharmacy chain Alpro has converted 70% of over 60,000 screened individuals to supplement with vitamin D, using a customized dosing model where every 1,000 IU of vitamin D supplementation is expected to increase blood levels by 10 nanograms per millilitre. The chain also screens for HbA1c, pre-diabetes, and is launching ferritin testing to address iron deficiency, seeing this as a replicable model for other nutrients.

The broader push for biomarker-based health monitoring comes as the global population ages. In Asia-Pacific, 15% of the population is now over 60, and by 2030 one in five will be in that age group. A 2025 global health concern study by dsm-firmenich found that nearly 60% of 750 respondents are concerned about longevity, and brands are responding by using tools like epigenetic clocks, glycation measurements, and multi-omics to make health conditions visible and encourage lifestyle changes.