# Mail-In Blood Test Cards Capitainer Starts a U.S. Clinical Study of Its HbA1c Sampling Card By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-10-29 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mail-in-blood-test-cards References: [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capitainer-initiates-clinical-sampling-for-hba1c-fda-510k-study-302920779.html)  Capitainer advanced its HbA1c program to the clinical stage, with the first sample now collected in a U.S. study centered on 'Capitainer®B50,' a microsampling card for people collecting capillary blood. The work is intended to support a planned FDA 510(k) filing for HbA1c, a test used to track long-term blood sugar. The study is expected to enroll at least 120 participants and include both self-collection and assisted sampling. Capitainer's cards are designed to capture fixed sample volumes that can be mailed to labs without cold-chain shipping, keeping the format practical outside a phlebotomy visit. Data collection is slated to wrap in November 2026. Self-sampling paired with venous comparison moves microsampling closer to a format providers can use for routine long-term glucose testing. Mail return by standard post also reduces some of the handling burden for labs and care teams extending testing beyond clinic visits. Image Credit: Capitainer® ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.6/10 - Popularity: 75% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 100% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/science) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **At-home Microsampling:** Fixed-volume blood collection cards create new pathways for routine diagnostics to move from clinics into patient homes with fewer logistical barriers. - **Mail-in Diagnostics:** Standard-post sample return enables decentralized lab testing models that reduce reliance on cold-chain transport and in-person appointments. - **Remote Chronic Monitoring:** HbA1c self-collection supports more accessible long-term diabetes management by linking home-based sampling with clinical lab validation. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Digital Health:** Connected care platforms can integrate mailed biomarker testing into remote monitoring programs for more continuous patient oversight. - **Clinical Diagnostics:** Laboratories gain opportunities to expand test access through validated capillary blood formats that simplify collection and transport. - **Diabetes Care:** Care providers benefit from home-compatible HbA1c workflows that make routine glucose tracking more convenient for patients and clinicians. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Biomarker Testing Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hims-hers-labs.md) - [Wearable Glucose Microsensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-glucose-microsensors.md) - [At-Home Biomarkers Test Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athome-biomarkers-test-kit.md) - [Tech-Enabled Diabetes Management Studies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freestyle-libre.md) - [Decentralized Diagnostic Testing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/BD-and-Babson-Diagnostics.md) - [Early Diabetes Risk Tests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metmark-ahb-test.md) - [Connected Chronic Care Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connected-chronic-disease-devices.md) - [Complementary Cardiometabolic Blood Testings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cardiometabolic-blood-testing.md) - [Portable Molecular Testing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Portable-molecular-testing.md)