Recognition shines a spotlight on the novel Jewel® Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Element Science, a pioneering health technology company that has developed the Jewel® Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (Patch-WCD) to monitor and protect high-risk cardiovascular patients from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), is proud to have been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026. This year’s list highlights businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations.
“We’re truly honored to be recognized by Fast Company as one of the world’s most innovative companies. Too many patients remain vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrest, and existing solutions don’t fully address their needs. Our goal has always been for the Jewel Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator to redefine the standard of care for patients at temporary risk for sudden cardiac arrest,” said Uday N. Kumar, MD, Founder, Element Science. “Being among the most innovative companies is a testament to the ethos of the Company and the truly next-generation design and capabilities of the Jewel.”
The Jewel Patch-WCD received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Premarket Approval (PMA) in April 2025 and European Union’s CE mark certification and Great Britain’s UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking in January 2024, underscoring the device’s demonstrated safety and effectiveness. Approval from the FDA authorized the commercial distribution of the Jewel® Patch-WCD in the U.S. for adults at elevated temporary risk of SCA*, enabling broader access to its innovative, human‑centered design and machine‑learning capabilities.
The Jewel Patch-WCD is designed for living, delivering continuous lifesaving protection without the need for daily maintenance1. The Jewel® Patch-WCD is discreet, with all components easily concealed under clothing allowing patients to keep their health condition private and continue to live life normally. In addition, the Jewel Patch-WCD is the only WCD on the market that is water-resistant and can be worn while showering.
The Jewel Patch-WCD is now in its early commercial launch phase, with availability in select states in the U.S. Broader commercial launch will expand to additional states and allow the Company to truly achieve its purpose of delivering more tomorrows for patients at temporary risk of SCA.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s hallmark franchise and one of its most anticipated editorial efforts of the year. To determine honorees, Fast Company’s editors and writers review companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world.
“Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is about spotlighting organizations that don’t just adapt to change—they drive it,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “The companies we honor this year are redefining what leadership looks like in 2026, pairing bold ideas with measurable impact and turning breakthrough innovation into real-world value. They are setting the pace for their industries and offering a blueprint for what sustained innovation can achieve.”
The full list of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies honorees can now be found at fastcompany.com. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 31, 2026.
Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala for honorees on May 19 in New York City. The summit features a day of inspiring content, followed by a creative black-tie gala including networking, a seated dinner, and an honoree presentation.
About Element Science, Inc.
Element Science, Inc. is a medical device and digital health company focused on developing solutions at the intersection of clinical-grade wearables, machine learning algorithms, and lifesaving therapies that address leading causes of death and hospitalization in patients with heart disease, primarily as they transition from the hospital-to-home. By putting the needs of patients and physicians first, our personalized digital devices, which are designed for function, comfort, and ease-of-use, aim to redefine the paradigm of care for these patients. Our first product, the Jewel® Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator, is initially targeted at treating more than 500,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe with an elevated temporary risk of potentially experiencing a lethal heart rhythm. Based in San Francisco, our investors include Third Rock Ventures, Google Ventures, Deerfield Management, Qiming Venture Partners USA, Cormorant Asset Management, and Invus Opportunities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ELEMENT SCIENCE: www.elementscience.com
ABOUT FAST COMPANY
Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.
* who are not candidates for or decline an implantable defibrillator
1Hummel J, Houmsse M, Tomassoni G, Nair D, Romero J, Hargrove J, Mathews K, Thakkar AB, Ullery S, Eapen ZJ, Kumar UN, Mehran R, Butler J; Jewel IDE Study Investigators. A patch wearable cardioverter-defibrillator for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024;84(6):525–536. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.063.
Contacts
Meredith Vornholt
Element Science, Inc.
415-872-6500 | [email protected]
