Tidepool and Ōura Partner to Advance Diabetes Research with Comprehensive Biometric Data

In a groundbreaking collaboration announced on Tuesday, diabetes tech nonprofit Tidepool is joining forces with smart ring maker Ōura to launch a pioneering diabetes research initiative. This partnership aims to create one of the most comprehensive real-world datasets for diabetes by combining biometric data from Ōura Ring Gen 3 devices with information from continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps.

Innovative Data Integration for Diabetes Management

The collaboration will leverage Tidepool's established data platform, which allows individuals to store and manage data from various diabetes devices, including insulin pumps, CGMs, automated insulin delivery systems, and blood glucose meters. By incorporating Ōura's advanced wearable technology, which tracks sleep patterns, activity levels, heart rate, temperature, and menstrual cycles, researchers hope to gain unprecedented insights into the physiological factors affecting diabetes management.

Kelly Watson, Vice President of Product and User Experience at Tidepool, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, "For too long, diabetes research has overlooked critical physiological factors that impact health, especially for women. This collaboration with ŌURA is a pivotal step toward closing that gap and unlocking new avenues for innovation."

Research Study and Data Sharing Initiative

The companies plan to initiate recruitment for an institutional review board-approved study in early 2026. Participants who opt into the study will contribute their data to Tidepool's Big Data Donation Project. With user consent, de-identified data will be shared with academics, researchers, and industry partners to accelerate diabetes research and potentially inform the development of new clinical guidelines and technologies.

Expanding Horizons in Digital Health

This partnership represents a significant step forward for both Tidepool and Ōura in their respective efforts to advance digital health solutions. Tidepool, founded by individuals with personal connections to diabetes, has recently made strides in the automated insulin delivery space. In 2023, the company received FDA clearance for an automated insulin dosing app, which has since been incorporated into Sequel Med Tech's Twiist automated insulin delivery system, launched in July.

Meanwhile, Ōura has been intensifying its focus on health applications for its wearable technology. The company recently secured $900 million in funding to develop additional health features and has announced plans to pursue FDA clearance for a blood pressure monitoring feature for its smart rings.

As the digital health landscape continues to evolve, collaborations like the one between Tidepool and Ōura demonstrate the potential for integrated biometric data to drive innovation in chronic disease management and research.