New Wearable Patch Offers Precise Drug Monitoring for Critical Antibiotic

Researchers from UNSW, in collaboration with international partners and Australian diagnostics company Nutromics, have developed a wearable patch designed to provide continuous monitoring of medication levels in the body. This innovation aims to enable more precise dosing for antibiotics such as vancomycin.

The Challenge of Vancomycin Dosing

Vancomycin is an antibiotic utilized in hospitals for severe drug-resistant infections, including those affecting the bloodstream. Its administration presents significant challenges: inadequate doses may not effectively eliminate infections, while excessive amounts carry risks such as kidney damage or death.

Up to 40% of patients receiving vancomycin experience acute kidney injury.

A Minimally Invasive Solution

Current methods for monitoring vancomycin levels involve repeated blood tests, which are invasive, time-consuming, and may not deliver timely data. The newly developed, minimally invasive patch addresses these issues.

The newly developed, minimally invasive patch tracks antibiotic levels every five minutes.

Clinical Validation and Expert Insight

Clinical trial results for the patch were published in Nature Biotechnology, indicating the resolution of significant scientific and safety challenges. Scientia Professor Justin Gooding from the UNSW School of Chemistry, who contributed to the device's development, commented on its impact:

"This monitoring capability supports effective and safe patient treatment."