Archer’s A$450K Deal with Paragraf Boosts Biochip Sensor Accuracy and Stability
Archer Materials has teamed up with UK-based Paragraf to fast-track development of its Biochip sensor for at-home chronic kidney disease testing, aiming to enhance accuracy and product readiness over six months.
- Six-month collaboration with Paragraf to develop Biochip potassium ion sensor
- Focus on improving sensor accuracy, stability, and fabrication processes
- Partnership valued at approximately A$450,000 (£222,000)
- New intellectual property generated will be owned by Archer
- Project advances integration of sensor into cartridge system for final product
Partnership Overview
Archer Materials, an Australian semiconductor innovator, has formalised a strategic partnership with UK-based Paragraf Limited to accelerate the development of its Biochip potassium ion sensor. This device is designed for at-home testing of chronic kidney disease, a condition that affects millions worldwide and requires regular monitoring of blood potassium levels.
The six-month project, split into two three-month stages and costing around A$450,000, aims to refine the sensor’s technical capabilities and move it closer to a market-ready prototype. Paragraf’s expertise in graphene-based electronics will complement Archer’s ongoing work in Sydney, combining semiconductor manufacturing know-how with advanced biological sensing techniques.
Technical Focus and Innovation
Stage one of the collaboration concentrates on optimising measurement protocols, enhancing quality control of graphene field-effect transistors (gFETs), and improving sensor functionalisation to boost accuracy. These improvements are critical to meeting the target product profile for blood potassium sensing, ensuring the device delivers reliable and precise results.
Building on these foundations, stage two will focus on redesigning the chip to transition from laboratory prototypes to product-representative devices. The teams will also address key performance metrics such as sensor stability, lifetime, and robustness, factors essential for real-world use and regulatory approval.
Strategic Implications and Intellectual Property
Beyond technical development, the partnership is expected to generate valuable intellectual property owned exclusively by Archer. This IP will underpin the company’s competitive advantage in the emerging market for at-home diagnostic devices leveraging graphene technology.
In addition, the insights gained will feed directly into the integration of the sensor chip into a cartridge system, a crucial step towards commercialisation. Archer’s CEO, Simon Ruffell, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in accelerating the Biochip’s journey to a first sensor prototype, which will pave the way for further strategic partnerships and clinical trials.
Looking Ahead
As Archer and Paragraf combine their expertise across semiconductor manufacturing, chemistry, and medical diagnostics, the project represents a significant milestone in Archer’s broader ambition to deploy advanced semiconductor devices in healthcare. The partnership underscores the growing role of graphene-based technologies in transforming medical testing and monitoring.
Bottom Line?
This partnership marks a pivotal step for Archer, setting the stage for clinical validation and eventual market entry of its Biochip sensor.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the specific timelines for clinical trials and regulatory submissions following prototype development?
- How will Archer leverage the new intellectual property to secure competitive advantage or partnerships?
- What are the potential challenges in scaling production of graphene-based Biochips for commercial use?
