Dexcom
Dexcom, Inc. is an American medical device company founded in 1999 and headquartered in San Diego, California, that specializes in the design, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for diabetes management.[1][2][3] The company's innovative biosensing technology provides real-time glucose readings to help users track and manage their blood sugar levels, empowering individuals with diabetes to take greater control of their health.[4][1] Since its inception, Dexcom has pioneered advancements in glucose monitoring, launching its first commercial sensor, the Dexcom STS, in 2006 and evolving its product line to include systems like the Dexcom G6 and the latest Dexcom G7, which offer improved accuracy, smaller sensors, and integration with smartphones and smartwatches for seamless data sharing.[4][1] In 2024, Dexcom introduced Stelo, the first over-the-counter CGM cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, aimed at non-insulin users and those interested in lifestyle-related glucose insights without a prescription.[4] The company, publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker DXCM, reported revenues of $4.03 billion in 2024, reflecting its growing global impact in diabetes care.[5][1] Dexcom's mission focuses on transforming diabetes management through accessible, user-friendly technology that reduces the burden of traditional fingerstick testing and supports better clinical outcomes.[4] With over 25 years of innovation, the company collaborates with healthcare providers, integrates with insulin delivery systems, and expands internationally to serve approximately 2.9 million users worldwide as of 2024.[1][4]Company Overview
Founding and Headquarters
Dexcom, Inc. was co-founded on May 13, 1999, in Delaware by biochemist and entrepreneur John F. Burd, Scott Glenn, Lauren Otsuki, Ellen Preston, and Bret Megargel, with its operations established in San Diego, California.[6][7] Burd, a scientist with expertise in glucose monitoring technologies, founded the company to address unmet needs in diabetes care through advanced biosensing solutions.[8] From its inception, Dexcom focused on developing fully implantable glucose sensors intended to provide long-term, continuous monitoring for up to a year, aiming to reduce the burden of frequent blood glucose testing for people with diabetes.[9] However, regulatory and technical challenges led the company to pivot toward subcutaneous sensor systems, which involve short-term implantation under the skin and wireless data transmission, marking a strategic shift that enabled earlier commercialization and FDA approvals.[9] The company's headquarters remain at 6340 Sequence Drive, San Diego, CA 92121, a central hub for its research, development, and operations in the Sorrento Valley area.[10] As of December 2024, Dexcom employed 10,300 people worldwide. In August 2025, the company announced layoffs affecting approximately 350 employees (about 3% of its global workforce), reflecting adjustments amid expanding global demand for its diabetes management technologies.[11][12] Leadership has evolved to support this expansion, with Kevin Sayer serving as CEO since January 2015, bringing extensive experience in medical device operations.[13] In July 2025, Dexcom announced that Jake Leach, the current President and Chief Operating Officer, would succeed Sayer as CEO effective January 1, 2026, positioning the company for continued innovation in diabetes care.[14]Mission and Core Focus
Dexcom's mission is to empower people to take control of their health through innovative biosensing technology, with a particular emphasis on enabling those with diabetes and related conditions to manage their well-being more effectively. This objective centers on providing tools that deliver actionable insights into glucose levels, fostering greater independence and improved quality of life for users. By prioritizing patient-centered innovation, Dexcom aims to transform diabetes care from reactive management to proactive health optimization.[1][4] At its core, Dexcom focuses on developing minimally invasive biosensors that enable real-time continuous glucose monitoring, primarily serving individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes while expanding applications to prediabetes and other metabolic conditions. These technologies track glucose fluctuations without frequent interruptions, allowing users to make informed decisions about diet, exercise, and medication. This strategic emphasis positions Dexcom as a leader in the medical device industry, where it bridges the gap between clinical diagnostics and everyday health management for millions affected by glucose-related disorders.[4][15][16] Dexcom demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility by pursuing regulatory approvals that broaden CGM availability, such as the FDA clearance of the Stelo Glucose Biosensor System in March 2024 as the first over-the-counter option for adults aged 18 and older who do not use insulin, including those with prediabetes. Similarly, the Dexcom G7 CGM system was cleared for individuals aged 2 years and older across all diabetes types, eliminating the need for confirmatory fingerstick tests to enhance ease of use. These advancements reduce barriers to adoption, making advanced monitoring more inclusive for diverse patient populations.[17][18] With operations spanning over 50 countries, Dexcom extends its reach globally, integrating data-driven insights from CGM systems to support better health outcomes through personalized analytics and trend identification. This international presence underscores the company's dedication to equitable access and evidence-based improvements in metabolic health management worldwide.[19][20]History
Early Years and Initial Development (1999–2010)
Dexcom was founded in 1999 in San Diego, California, by a group of engineers and scientists aiming to advance diabetes management through innovative glucose sensing technologies. The company's early research and development efforts centered on creating devices that could provide continuous, real-time glucose readings to reduce reliance on traditional fingerstick testing. These initial endeavors built on prior work in electrochemical sensors dating back to the 1960s, positioning Dexcom as a pioneer in the emerging field of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).[21][22] To fund its operations, Dexcom secured multiple rounds of private financing in its formative years, culminating in aggregate net proceeds of approximately $120.6 million by the end of 2005 from equity sales. A key milestone came in April 2005, when the company completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol DXCM, raising $56.4 million in gross proceeds to support clinical trials and product commercialization. This capital infusion was critical as Dexcom navigated the regulatory pathway for its first-generation devices.[3][23] A pivotal achievement occurred on March 24, 2006, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dexcom's inaugural product, the Short-Term System (STS) Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. Indicated for adults aged 18 and older with diabetes, the STS was designed to detect trends and track patterns in glucose levels over a limited 72-hour wear period, requiring insertion into the subcutaneous tissue via a sensor filament. Despite this approval, the device faced hurdles in market adoption due to its short duration and the need for professional insertion in clinical settings.[24][25] Building on the STS, Dexcom launched the SEVEN Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in 2007, following FDA approval on May 31, 2007, for an extended seven-day wear time. This second-generation device represented a significant advancement in user convenience, allowing for at-home insertion and real-time data transmission to a receiver, though it retained the subcutaneous sensor design. Early commercialization efforts were tempered by ongoing challenges, including sensor accuracy limitations—such as mean absolute relative difference (MARD) values around 15-20% in clinical studies—and inconsistent reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, which restricted broad accessibility. By 2010, these issues persisted as Dexcom refined its technology amid competitive pressures in the CGM market.[21][26][27][28]Expansion and Key Milestones (2011–2020)
In 2012, Dexcom launched the G4 PLATINUM continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system following FDA approval on October 5, 2012, marking a significant advancement with a 7-day sensor wear time and improved accuracy, achieving a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of approximately 13%.[29][30] This system represented up to 19% better overall accuracy compared to prior models, particularly in detecting hypoglycemia, and facilitated better real-time glucose management for users with diabetes.[31] Building on this momentum, Dexcom acquired SweetSpot Diabetes Care in February 2012 for $8.5 million in stock, integrating a software platform that enabled data aggregation and analysis from various diabetes devices to enhance user insights and remote monitoring capabilities.[32] By 2015, the company introduced the G5 Mobile CGM system, approved by the FDA on August 25, 2015, which was the first Bluetooth-enabled CGM to transmit glucose data directly to a smartphone app on iOS devices, eliminating the need for a separate receiver and allowing real-time sharing with up to five followers.[33] Dexcom continued its innovation trajectory with the G6 CGM system, receiving initial FDA clearance for integration with insulin pumps in March 2017 and full standalone approval on March 27, 2018, featuring a 10-day sensor wear period, no routine fingerstick calibrations, customizable alert thresholds for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, and compatibility with automated insulin delivery systems.[34][35] The G6's enhanced features improved user convenience and accuracy, with a MARD of around 9%, supporting broader adoption among people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.[36] To bolster its technological edge, Dexcom acquired TypeZero Technologies in August 2018, gaining proprietary algorithms for automated insulin delivery that optimized glucose control by adjusting insulin doses in real time based on CGM data.[37] This acquisition positioned Dexcom to advance hybrid closed-loop systems, with the inControl algorithm enabling partnerships for commercial launches of integrated therapies. During this period, Dexcom experienced robust revenue growth, rising from $76 million in 2011 to $1.93 billion in 2020, driven by expanded product adoption and market penetration.[38] International expansion accelerated with the receipt of CE Mark approval for the G4 PLATINUM pediatric indication in February 2013, allowing sales across Europe and further into markets like Australia and New Zealand, which contributed to a 33% increase in international revenue by 2020.[39][40] Amid these achievements, Dexcom faced challenges, including patent disputes with competitor Abbott Diabetes Care over continuous glucose monitoring technology, which were resolved through a settlement agreement in 2014 that cross-licensed certain patents and dismissed ongoing litigation.[41] This resolution cleared the path for focused innovation and market growth without further legal interruptions during the decade.Recent Advancements (2021–Present)
In 2022, Dexcom launched its seventh-generation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, the Dexcom G7, which featured a 60% smaller all-in-one sensor-transmitter design compared to its predecessor, a 10-day wear period, a rapid 30-minute warm-up time, and direct Bluetooth connectivity to smartphones without requiring a separate receiver.[42][43] The G7 received FDA clearance in December 2022 for individuals aged two years and older with any type of diabetes, marking a significant advancement in accuracy and user convenience.[42] Initial rollouts began internationally in Europe and other regions in late 2022, with U.S. availability following in early 2023.[44] By 2023, Dexcom expanded the G7's ecosystem through integrations enhancing automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and direct connectivity with devices like the Apple Watch, allowing users to view real-time glucose data on their wrist without a paired smartphone nearby.[45] These developments supported broader adoption of AID therapies, enabling seamless data sharing with compatible insulin pumps for improved glycemic control.[46] In 2024, Dexcom achieved notable growth milestones, including a 25% increase in its global active customer base to approximately 2.8–2.9 million users, driven by expanded access to CGM technologies.[47] The company reported full-year revenue of $4.033 billion, reflecting 11% year-over-year growth, bolstered by strong demand for its core products.[48] A key launch that year was Stelo, Dexcom's first over-the-counter (OTC) glucose biosensor cleared by the FDA in March for adults aged 18 and older not using insulin, which became available in August and targeted non-diabetic users interested in metabolic health insights.[18][49] Entering 2025, Dexcom continued its momentum with third-quarter revenue reaching $1.21 billion, contributing to raised full-year guidance of $4.63–$4.65 billion, implying about 15% growth.[50] The company announced a CEO succession plan in July, with President and COO Jake Leach set to assume the role on January 1, 2026, succeeding Kevin Sayer, who will remain as board chairman.[51] At the ATTD 2025 conference in March, Dexcom presented a report surveying over 2,500 healthcare professionals (HCPs) and individuals with Type 2 diabetes, revealing that 52% of HCPs viewed CGM access and education as more impactful than new medications for future care, with half considering CGM the standard for Type 2 management regardless of insulin use.[52] Ongoing initiatives include enhanced data analytics features via a new generative AI platform launched in December 2024 for personalized lifestyle-glucose insights, alongside cost-effectiveness studies demonstrating CGM's value in reducing healthcare utilization for Type 2 patients.[53] Looking ahead, Dexcom's pipeline features a 15-day wear extension for the G7 sensor, which received FDA clearance in April 2025 and is anticipated for release in the second half of 2025,[54] and the next-generation G8 CGM, currently in development as a 50% smaller device with multi-analyte sensing capabilities for broader health metrics beyond glucose.[55]Products and Technology
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems from Dexcom employ a subcutaneous sensor that measures glucose concentrations in interstitial fluid using enzyme-based electrochemistry, generating readings every 5 minutes for real-time tracking. The sensor's electrochemical mechanism relies on glucose oxidase or similar enzymes immobilized on an electrode, where glucose in the interstitial fluid reacts to produce hydrogen peroxide; this, in turn, undergoes oxidation to create a measurable electrical current proportional to glucose levels. The resulting data is digitized and transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth to a paired receiver or smartphone application, enabling continuous monitoring without manual intervention.[56][57][58] The core components of these systems include the sensor, a thin filament approximately 5 mm long inserted just under the skin's surface via an applicator for painless placement; the transmitter, a compact device adhered to the skin that snaps onto the sensor and powers the measurement process; and the display interface, which can be a dedicated receiver or a compatible smartphone app showing current glucose values, directional trends (rising, falling, or stable), and customizable alerts. This modular design allows the sensor and transmitter to be worn for up to 15 days, depending on the system (e.g., 10 days for G6, 15 days for G7 15 Day and Stelo), with the display providing actionable insights into glucose dynamics throughout the day and night.[56][59][54] Accuracy in Dexcom CGM systems has evolved significantly, with the Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD)—a key metric comparing sensor readings to reference blood glucose values—improving from around 20% in early systems to under 9% in advanced models like the G7. This progression reflects refinements in sensor design, enzyme stability, and signal processing algorithms. Since the G6 system, these devices have eliminated the need for routine fingerstick calibrations, relying instead on factory calibration for reliable performance across a wide glucose range.[60][61][36] These CGM systems offer substantial benefits by delivering real-time glucose trends and predictive alerts for impending hypo- or hyperglycemia, empowering users to make timely interventions and avoid extremes. Clinical studies demonstrate that regular use of Dexcom CGM is associated with A1C reductions of 0.5–1%, reflecting improved overall glycemic control and reduced time in hypoglycemic ranges without increasing severe events.[62][63][64]Product Generations and Innovations
Dexcom's product generations represent iterative advancements in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, focusing on improved accuracy, user convenience, and extended wear times. The Dexcom G4, launched in 2012, introduced the Share feature, enabling remote monitoring of glucose levels by caregivers through secure wireless connections to compatible devices. This system achieved a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 13.1%, indicating its accuracy in measuring interstitial glucose compared to reference blood glucose values.[65][30] The Dexcom G5, released in 2015, marked a significant shift by becoming the first CGM to transmit data directly to smartphones via Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a separate receiver in many cases. It incorporated mobile app-based alerts for high and low glucose levels, enhancing real-time management for users. Building on prior accuracy, the G5 demonstrated a MARD of 9% in clinical evaluations.[66] Subsequent generations further refined these capabilities. The Dexcom G6, introduced in 2018, featured a 10-day sensor wear period, customizable alerts for glucose thresholds, and readiness for integration with other diabetes management tools. Its MARD improved to 9.0%, supporting more reliable non-adjunctive use. The Dexcom G7, first available in 2022, advanced to an all-in-one design combining the sensor and transmitter into the smallest form factor yet, with a 12-hour grace period for sensor replacement to accommodate user schedules. It boasts the highest accuracy to date with an MARD of 8.2%. In April 2025, the FDA cleared the G7 15 Day version, extending the wear period to 15 days while achieving an overall MARD of 8.0%.[67][68][43][69][54]| Generation | Key Features | MARD (%) |
|---|---|---|
| G4 (2012) | Share for remote monitoring | 13.1 |
| G5 (2015) | Direct smartphone transmission; mobile alerts | 9.0 |
| G6 (2018) | 10-day wear; customizable alerts; integration-ready | 9.0 |
| G7 (2022, 15 Day in 2025) | All-in-one design; 15-day wear with 12-hour grace period; smallest size | 8.0 |