Samsung and Germany-based Alcedis said Galaxy Watch biometric data will be used in clinical trials to speed medical research and drug development while lowering study costs.
Samsung will provide smartwatch hardware, sensor data and backend infrastructure, while Alcedis will convert that real-world data into research-grade evidence, manage patient engagement and run the studies.
Galaxy Watch inputs for the partnership include BIA, electrodermal activity, sleep apnea tracking and atrial-fibrillation monitoring, allowing researchers to collect higher-quality remote data between hospital visits.
The deal extends Samsung’s push into connected care after its Xealth acquisition and comes ahead of an expected launch next month of at least 2 new watches, the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
As smartwatches join drug trials, how will patient data be protected from misuse and bias?
Can consumer smartwatches truly meet the FDA's rigorous standards for drug approval evidence?
Samsung-Alcedis Partnership: Transforming Clinical Trials with Wearable Data Integration and Regulatory Advances in 2026
Overview
In June 2026, Samsung Electronics and Alcedis announced a strategic partnership to transform clinical trials by integrating real-world health data from Samsung’s Galaxy Watch wearables. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between everyday health monitoring and scientific research, supporting faster innovation in global healthcare. The core goal is to translate continuous biometric data from wearables into clinically meaningful evidence, addressing the challenge of making wearable-generated signals trustworthy for trial sponsors and regulators. Alcedis brings expertise in analyzing and validating this data, making wearable technologies a cost-effective and appealing solution for modern clinical research.