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Two Global Medical Device Giants Join Forces to Combat Type II Diabetes, Slashing NHS Budgets and Stemming the Devastating Growth of the Disease
UK-based Urathon Europe Ltd has been granted exclusive distribution rights in the UK for a new next-generation Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM), by Chinese manufacturing giant, Yuwell. Launching 14th May 2025, the Yuwell Anytime CGM is set to transform the face of Type II diabetes, one of the biggest drains on the NHS, and the leading cause of serious secondary health complications including renal failure, heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and degrees of sight loss.
The exponential increase in Type II diabetes far exceeds predictions made just ten years ago. In addition, the prevalence of the disease in people under 40 years old saw an alarming 40% increase between 2017 and 2023. Just 8% of the UK population living with diabetes have the incurable Type I diabetes. The vast majority (90%) of diabetes sufferers have been diagnosed with Type II, which can be managed through lifestyle, and a large percentage of Type II diabetics can successfully go into remission. In addition, 1 in 9 adults have been diagnosed with prediabetes, and are at risk of going on to develop Type II.
Tackling Type II diabetes is critical for both the heath of the nation and the health of the NHS. The use of CGM in people with prediabetes and those with early onset Type II is the cure to the crippling expense this lifestyle-led disease causes. The new Yuwell Anytime CGM system presents the most affordable solution to this crisis. It boasts a world-first rechargeable CGM transmitter that lasts two years, slashing the cost compared to alternative CGM systems - the cost of the Yuwell Anytime system therefore represents over 35% less per year to both the NHS and self-funding patients, meaning access to life changing tech to combat Type II diabetes has been revolutionised. Add to that the slash in cost to the NHS for treatment and medication through prevention and remission, Yuwell Anytime presents the UK with the opportunity to save the NHS £billions per year and positively improve the health of tens of millions of people.
Yuwell Anytime in the UK will spearhead a national public health campaign for CGM tech to be made more widely available at the grassroots of the Diabetes endemic, to combat the growth of the disease and reduce the number of sufferers. Working in partnership with Leeds University, Brunel University and UCL, and with support from the NIHR, Yuwell Anytime will drive prevention and remission.
Yuwell Anytime Brand Medical Ambassador and NHS GP, Dr Dawn Harper, MBBS, MRCP, DCH, DFFP, said: "I would love to see this device incorporated into the NHS ‘diabetes prevention programme'. It could help improve the health of millions and save the NHS billions. Having been diagnosed with diabetes myself, wearing the Yuwell anytime device gave me real time insights into how my body reacts to different foods. I used the insights to adapt my diet and my HbA1c is now out of the diabetic range."
Yuwell Anytime Clinical Trial Lead, Dr Andrea Utley, BSc (Hons), PGCE, PhD, said: "Our trial tested the Yuwell Anytime device on a diverse range of individuals with Type II diabetes. Findings showed a good level of accuracy when compared to a standard finger prick glucose test. In addition the Yuwell device proved to trend well showing excellent performance across a range of glucose levels."
ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:
Jo Welch -jo@urathon.com+ 44 (0) 7767 416092.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About Yuwell
Global Manufacturer
Yuwell is headquartered in Nanjing, China, with subsidiaries, R&D centres, and manufacturing facilities across the globe. Their guiding principle is to focus on the needs of their users.
Yuwell has built a comprehensive medical service platform that brings professional medical technologies and advanced product solutions into everyday life, creating a health ecosystem that integrates homecare, clinical treatment, and digital solutions.
All of this is driven by one purpose: to alleviate patients' suffering and enhance the capabilities of medical professionals.
With nearly three decades of innovation, Yuwell has played a key role in setting industry standards and delivering outstanding products in the fields of homecare and chronic disease management. They serve 10 major medical sectors, including respiratory therapy, diabetes care, medical diagnostics, AEDs, medical imaging, traditional Chinese medicine, and more.
Yuwell has operated internationally for nearly 20 years, proudly improving the quality of life for people around the world. Their primary manufacturing hub is located in Danyang, Jiangsu, just over an hour by train from Shanghai. Covering approximately 700,000 square meters, the facility includes a CNAS-accredited national product lab, smart manufacturing technologies, digital workshops, flexible production lines, an unmanned warehouse and integrated digital user services.
Yuwell is a global leader in home healthcare medical devices, committed to meeting the needs of individuals worldwide. We believe that maintaining good health is essential to a high quality of life and that everyone deserves access to world-class medical technology.
Yuwell's vision is to become one of the top three home healthcare medical device groups in the world.
About Urathon
Exclusive UK distributor
Urathon is an international manufacturing and supply chain organisation with headquarters in the UK. From there we operate a world class manufacturing facility and supply chain in China.
We service customers in the UK, Europe and rest of the world including Australia and the USA. Our main area of expertise is the production of Aids for Daily Living and Medical Devices. We also produce specialised parts for the automotive and other businesses. Buy off-the-shelf or let us design and manufacture what you need, complete with your own branding. Contact us for a no obligation discussion on how we can help you.
We guarantee to never cut corners or compromise on quality or service. With around 20 years of experience manufacturing in China, we always deliver the correct product on time at competitive prices.
YUWELL ANYTIME CLINICAL TRIAL:
The clinical trial was commissioned by Urathon Ltd and conducted by a team led by staff from the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, who acted as independent researchers. It should be noted that all data was held by and analysed by the research team and that the team are totally independent from Urathon. The aim of this trial was to examine the accuracy and efficacy of the CT3 Yuwell continuous glucose monitor.
Research Team
Dr Andrea Utley
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds (Research Lead)
Dr Andrea Utley is a Reader in Motor Control, Learning, and Development in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds. She is the Schools lead on impact and innovation and has led a number of clinical trials in health care related studies. In 2016 Dr Utley was awarded The Cutlers' Surgical Prize by the Royal College of Surgeons for the design of the Yorkshire Micro Forcep. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2013 NHS innovation awards.
Dr Matthew Lancaster
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds (Co-investigator)
Dr Matthew Lancaster is an Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Leeds. His research is in cardiovascular health with a focus on how ageing alters the heart leading to problems such as arrhythmias and reduced exercise capacity. He has a depth of experience with physiological measures including the measurement of blood glucose as well as statistical analysis of multiple interacting factors and their impact on the cardiovascular system. He is a member of the Physiological Society and American Heart Association and the lead statistician on the project.
Dr Pippa Garner
School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences: Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bradford (Co-investigator)
Dr Garner specialise in the regenerative medicine and the techniques that are now being used to help the body to repair itself. She has a range of experience conducting research on medical devices and has worked with a range of research teams with the focus on medical and biological engineering.
Dr Hope Edwards
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds (Researcher)
Hope Edwards completed her MSci in Biological Sciences at The Royal Veterinary College, attaining First-Class Honours. Her previous research at the University of Bradford involved investigating Sarcopenia and the effectiveness of nutritional and exercise intervention as a therapeutic for disease.
Protocol/Methods
The study gained full ethical permission from the Faculty of Biological Sciences ethics committee (Application 2044). In addition, the study was registered with the Open Science Framework as a clinical trial (https://osf.io/5ywr9).
Participants
A total of n=25 participants were recruited for the 10-day study including n= 13 males and n= 12 females. All participants were aged between 37 and 76 years old with a mean age of 57.8. The study population was made up of Type 2 diabetics n=25. 16% of the participants identified as minority ethnic. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also measured with participants ranging from 21.7 to 49.1 with a mean of 30.7.
Pilot Test
All procedures were tested in a pilot study to ensure that participants were clear on how to: attach and connect the device, administer the finger prick test, record their results. We also check that the workshops that demonstrated how to attach and use the device were clear and appropriate. The pilot tests revealed that all procedures were clear and appropriate.
Procedures
The participants were asked to monitor their glucose levels for 10 days using two devices. One device was attached to the skin and remained in position for the duration of the study (CT3 Yuwell Continuous Glucose Monitor). The second device was the Accu-chek glucose finger prick test. Participants were asked to take measurements on three occasions per day, before breakfast, before lunch, and before their evening meal. Participants were given a log book in which to record their glucose levels. At the start of the study participants were invited to the University of Leeds so that the use of the device could be demonstrated, consent taken and the participants given the opportunity to ask questions. It was made clear that they have the right to withdraw from the study at any point without giving a reason.
The sensor could be placed on the upper arm or stomach and participants were allowed to choose which site they would prefer. All participants placed the sensor on the upper arm. The placement of the sensor and the connection of the transmitted were demonstrated to all participants and the connection via Bluetooth from the transmitter to the phone app of the participant was checked by the researcher.
Participants were instructed to carry on with their normal daily activities and it was made clear that the device could remain in place when showering, swimming, or exercising. No changes to the participant's normal daily routine was required.
CT-3 Yuwell (Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device)
The device uses mobile Bluetooth and a phone app to report glucose levels that are continuously gathered by the sensor and sent to the phone via the transmitter. The device provided unlimited data storage, readings every 3 minutes, and bluetooth technology that synchs directly to the participants phone or tablet.
Accu-chek testing (Finger prick blood testing equipment)
The accu-chek devices were checked for accuracy using a control solution kit (Roche, Germany). The kit contained two control solutions, Control 1 and Control 2. A test strip was inserted into the accu-chek device and either Control 1 or Control 2 were applied to the strip. The device was subsequently instructed which control solution was being tested and the screen displayed 'OK' if the validation was correct. A high level of accuracy was found for the accu-chek devices sampled.
Results
A full statistical analysis of the data has been undertaken to examine the accuracy of the CT3 Yuwell CGM compared to the accu-chek finger prick test and to look at the trends of glucose levels over time. It should be noted that the analysis revealed no differences when comparing gender, BMI, and ethic background.
Results Summary
The results have shown good accuracy for the Yuwell device compared to a fingertip blood glucose test (accu-chek). We have obtained a MARD of 7.9% and other statistical measures show a very good agreement between the Yuwell CGM and blood glucose (see figure 1 and 3). In addition the reliability of the sensors accuracy is good across the typical range of glucose concentrations (see figure 2). The Yuwell CGM therefore trends well- spikes in blood glucose are also identified by Yuwell device. Participants gave favourable feedback on the Yuwell device and found it very motivating in terms of monitoring their glucose levels.
Key Findings
There are some very encouraging aspects of the Yuwell CGM device.
- The accuracy of the device is excellent with a MARD of 7.9.
- Good agreement between the Yuwell CGM and the accu-chek indicated by a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.88 (p<0.001).
- Excellent preserved agreement across the normally encountered range of concentrations measured- therefore the Yuwell device trends well.
- Good agreement between the Yuwell CGM and the accu-chek indicated by Clarke Error Grid Analysis of Data Agreement.
Key findings especially encouraging as the device was tested in ‘free living conditions'.