Australian startup Symex Labs is developing a wearable biosensor that measures progesterone and estradiol levels through interstitial fluid – the clear fluid just beneath the skin – rather than requiring the repeated blood draws that IVF patients currently undergo to time egg collection and embryo transfer.
The device, being developed in partnership with the University of Melbourne and Monash IVF, uses microneedles worn as a patch to detect hormone molecules in interstitial fluid, translating the electrical activity into progesterone readings that are sent directly to the clinic’s monitoring system. The goal: Patients can wear the patch at home instead of making multiple trips to a lab, with results reviewed remotely by their IVF clinical team.
“Previous research shows nearly all hormones that exist in blood are also present in interstitial fluid,” said co-founder Edgar Charry. “Our biosensor will eventually be worn as a patch and will work by penetrating the skin using small microneedles to attract progesterone molecules in the patient’s interstitial fluid. These molecules will bind to the surface of the probe, generating electrical activity. The technology then translates the electrical activity to progesterone levels, ultimately informing the IVF clinical team if the patient is ready for embryo transfer.”
The current blood test approach has practical limitations – if testing falls on a weekend when most labs are closed, clinicians are forced to choose a less optimal testing time, potentially affecting treatment precision. A wearable alternative could also be significant for women in regional areas who travel long distances for blood draws.
“This technology will save patients time and money as they can conveniently wear the patch in the comfort of their own home, resulting in fewer visits to the clinic and fewer painful injections,” said Monash IVF research director Associate Professor Mark Green. “The biosensor would also be a gamechanger for women living in regional areas.”
Symex Labs is currently conducting a clinical study at Monash IVF to establish baseline hormone levels in interstitial fluid by benchmarking them against blood sample concentrations. The research has received $2.5 million in funding from the Australian federal government, the University of Melbourne’s Genesis fund, Monash IVF, RMIT, and Breakthrough Victoria.
The founders see applications well beyond IVF. “Our wearable hormone biosensor has strong potential in PCOS management, perimenopause and menopause symptom management, where continuous hormone insight can replace today’s indirect, symptom-based tracking,” said co-founder Muhammad Umer.
A first in-human pilot study is expected within the next 12 months, with commercialization planned for early 2028.
