Fitbit shares jump following a partnership with diabetes-tracking DexCom
Shares of Fitbit were up 10 percent by mid-day Thursday after the company said its watches will soon be compatible with Dexcom 's glucose-monitoring sensors, allowing users with diabetes to track blood sugar levels the Fitbit Ionic.

"With Ionic, we are focused on driving positive health outcomes and more health focused tools, and this collaboration is a wonderful example of how we plan to bring that vision to our users," said Fitbit CEO James Park in a statement.

DexCom's system for continuous glucose monitoring requires users to embed a sensor just below the skin and provides updated levels every five minutes through an app.

The companies expect to role out the new function by early 2018, according to a release.

More than 400 million people around the world live with diabetes, according to the World Heath Organization. Traditional glucose-tracking methods involve pricking the individual's skin to draw a small amount of blood.