A new, minimally invasive patch promises to significantly improve the safety and effectiveness of powerful antibiotics like vancomycin. Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) collaborated with international partners and Australian diagnostics company Nutromics to develop a sensor patch that measures the concentration of the antibiotic in the body every five minutes.
Vancomycin is often used as a last-resort treatment for severe, antibiotic-resistant infections or sepsis. However, dosing is critical: too low a dose is ineffective, while too high a dose can lead to serious kidney damage or even death. Up to 40 percent of patients receiving vancomycin develop acute kidney injury. Currently, dosages are monitored through repeated blood draws, a burdensome and time-consuming process that doesn’t always provide sufficient information in a timely manner.
‘Lab-on-a-patch’
The new patch offers an alternative. The system utilizes synthetic DNA-based sensors, known as aptamers, that specifically bind to target molecules such as vancomycin. These sensors are integrated into microneedles that sample interstitial fluid just beneath the skin. Patients reported that wearing the patch was virtually painless and more comfortable than repeated blood draws.
“What we have is a particularly significant breakthrough,” said Justin Gooding, a professor at the UNSW School of Chemistry. “People can now measure on the timescale needed to give patients the most effective and safest treatment.” The continuous measurements allow physicians to adjust dosages more quickly and accurately, potentially preventing complications and improving treatment outcomes. The results of a clinical study were published in Nature Biotechnology on February 9, 2026.
Broader Applications
A key advantage of aptamer technology is its flexibility. The sensors can be adapted to measure other drugs or disease indicators as well. Nutromics is already working on applications for sepsis, a condition that is difficult to recognize but requires rapid intervention.
“With sepsis, the symptoms often closely resemble those of other infections,” Gooding explained. “If we can measure sepsis biomarkers in real time, we can treat faster and more effectively. That could save lives.” He added that, “in principle, this technology is suitable for virtually any drug or modest molecule.”
From Lab to Clinical Practice
While the potential of aptamers has been known for some time through animal studies, translating that potential into a practical, manufacturable medical device proved complex. Collaboration with Nutromics proved crucial in overcoming these hurdles. “Academics come up with and test ideas,” Gooding said. “But to really bring something to market, you need partners who grasp how to develop a product.”
Nutromics CEO Peter Vranes also emphasized the importance of that collaboration. “A world first requires both scientific discovery and translation to practice. Together, we can develop solutions that truly improve healthcare.”
Next Steps
The patch is currently being tested in intensive care units in Australia. Nutromics hopes to receive approval from U.S. Regulators next year. Simultaneously, the company is working on applications for other areas, such as cardiology and rapid triage in the emergency room.
If the technology is widely adopted, real-time medication monitoring could become a new standard in clinical care, leading to fewer complications, less burden for patients, and more informed treatment decisions. This innovation represents a significant step toward personalized medicine and improved patient outcomes.
Computer-Aided Dosing
Several years ago, Dr. Eveline Wallenburg, formerly a researcher at Radboudumc, developed computer models to calculate the appropriate dosage of antibiotics for each patient and situation. A major problem is that standard antibiotic dosages have historically been tested on healthy subjects or patients not in the ICU. Both too high and too low a dose carry risks.
To more precisely determine antibiotic dosing in the ICU, Wallenburg investigated three commonly used antibiotics. She determined blood levels of these antibiotics from patients during their ICU stay and collected data on patient age, gender, and kidney function.
