Background

Adalimumab is a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases and in specific rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term, chronic disorder that results in inflammation of the synovium, the tissue that lines the inside of joints. This inflammation causes the synovium to thicken leading to extreme pain and swelling in and around joints. If rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated, in the long-term, the cartilage gets damaged and joints can become unstable, loose and deformed. In addition, the global prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis is approaching 1%.

Adalimumab is the largest selling drug worldwide that relieves the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately, treatment is quite expensive and a large portion of the patients do not benefit or lose treatment benefit as they take the drug (23-46% lose benefit over time). This is because different patients will absorb and utilise the drug differently. Thus, it is vital to measure the concentration of the drug in the patient’s blood to monitor and tailor how much of the drug should be given to a patient. This is known as Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. For example, if the drug concentration is very high, then the drug dose could be reduced to avoid the side-effects and cost of the drug. If the drug concentration is found to be low, then the underlying cause can be investigated to avoid needless costs and side-effects. Clearly, a biosensor that can quickly and accurately measure the concentration of adalimumab in a patient’s blood, is vital in managing rheumatoid arthritis.

Technology Overview

The electrochemical method used in the biosensor relies on the decrease in current due to the binding of Adalimumab to the TNF-a immobilized on a carbon screen printed electrode functionalized with gold nanoparticles. This is measured by first immobilizing TNF-a on a gold nanoparticle functionalized carbon screen printed electrode through the use of a mercaptoundecanoic acid self-assembly monolayer (SAM). This electrode is then put in a redox solution and the current produced is measured using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The plasma sample spiked with Adalimumab is then added and the Adalimumab molecule is expected to bind to the TNF-a immobilized on the electrode, increasing resistance of the circuit and therefore reducing the current measured due to the redox solution. The current reduction is proportional to the concentration of Adalimumab in the plasma, therefore this will lead to the rapid measurement of Adalimumab.

Benefits

• The biosensor/device is highly accurate, precise and rapid at measuring the concentration of adalimumab in the blood.
• It will take approximately 5 minutes to give accurate results.
• The device is quite small; It is a hand-held device and therefore easily portable.
• The sensor is user-friendly, simple and easy to use.
• All that is needed is a drop of the patient’s blood serum to be placed on a disposable strip.
• The device is purchased once and the user only needs to buy the disposable strips in order for further use.
• The strips are very small and can also be recycled and reused if returned to suppliers.
• All the chemicals that are used in the development and treatment of this device are non-hazardous and can easily be safely disposed of.

Applications

A drug monitoring device for the detection of Adalimumab levels in the blood.

Opportunity

• Development partner
• Commercial partner
• Licensing
• University spin out
• Seeking investment