Archer Materials has reported that it is making progress with its graphene-based biosensor technology with recent work spanning technology development, commercialization and patent prosecution.
This work includes the development of portable hardware to interface with Archer’s biosensor technology with simplified sensor response.
Also, computational chemistry simulations are ongoing to efficiently predict detection mechanisms for specific diseases for greater device accuracy.
Archer's CEO Dr. Mohammad Choucair said: There is no doubt that diseases have a devastating effect on economies and there is value in advancing disease diagnosis using simpler, more accurate biosensors... However, there are only a limited number of materials that can perform this [biosensing], and they require innovative development. We have rapidly advanced from raw material feedstock to prototypes of a portable battery-powered sensing device that can incorporate biological material.
Archer said that the recent achievements relate to the biosensing interface, data processing, and design and fabrication of materials electrodes critical to the biosensor technology function.
This has led to the design, testing and fabrication of early-stage portable battery-powered prototypes employing an electronic interface for biosensing, which circumvents the need for cumbersome instrumentation and allows for point of use application.
Archer has developed a set of new graphene materials that could be directly applied for enhanced biosensing and their processing into biocompatible inks in water-based solvents, eliminating the use of hazardous and non-biocompatible chemicals, increasing the scope of biomolecules that can be detected. Laboratory synthesis was complemented with computational chemistry to calculate and visualize these materials candidates at the atom-level for their suitability in biomolecular sensing.
Choucair said: This early-stage work has the potential to allow much simpler and more effective sensing where early diagnosis of life-threatening diseases can lead to much improved outcomes.
Archer is at an early stage of commercializing the graphene-based biotechnology and has engaged with independent technical and commercial advisors within Australia's biotechnology industry.
Archer’s commercial strategy involves applying the triple-helix business model for biotechnology innovation to develop printable graphene-based biosensor componentry and sublicence the associated intellectual property rights by:
- Developing commercial prototype in-vitro diagnostic biosensing devices by assembling and testing proprietary graphene-based componentry capable of enabling rapid multi-disease detection and device integration;
- Prosecuting strong patent applications in Australia, the US and EU and to protect the intellectual property rights to the biosensor technology; and
- Establishing commercial partnerships with highly resourced organisations in the biotechnology industry with existing global distribution channels.