Archer Materials advances biosensor technology with lithium detection breakthrough

Archer Materials has achieved accuracy improvements in its blood potassium biosensor and successfully demonstrated lithium ion detection, according to a company announcement on Monday.

The Adelaide-based semiconductor company said its Sydney engineering team has made measurable improvements to the sensor's accuracy while building on early test results from February. The biosensor is designed to measure potassium levels in human blood for at-home monitoring by kidney disease patients.

A new chip design and readout system, described as “close to final product form”, is expected to deliver further accuracy improvements. Testing results are anticipated in October 2025, with chip fabrication set to begin soon and readout electronics in final assembly stages.

The company has expanded its testing beyond potassium to include lithium ions, which could benefit patients being treated for neurological disorders. Chief executive Simon Ruffell said the biochip device can measure parts-per-million of lithium through voltage responses from the sensor.

“The early results for the testing of other ions are promising, and we are excited by the opportunity to expand the testing platform,” Ruffell said on Monday.

The biosensor platform's adaptability allows it to detect different ions by modifying surface chemistry and sensor configuration, without requiring complete redesign of the sensing architecture. This flexibility enables potential applications in point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring and industrial process control.

Archer's collaboration with Hylid, announced in March, is progressing with initial design and fabrication testing for sensor-compatible cartridges underway. The work is expected to deliver chip, haemolysis testing and cartridge components for a medical device lab demonstrator by year's end.

The company is building a network of medical experts to support clinical trials targeting regulatory approvals from Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration and the US Food and Drug Administration. Marketing research has identified segments of the kidney disease market, worth over US$3 billion, that could be targeted by the biosensor.

Data presented by the company suggests potential cost savings for the US federal government through Medicare if patients had access to at-home potassium monitoring, as early detection of abnormal levels could help prevent expensive hospitalisations.

The biosensor development represents part of Archer's broader strategy to build a versatile sensing platform capable of detecting various ions in liquids. Potassium detection was selected as the initial target due to its clinical importance and unmet medical need.

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