The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) announced more than $100 million in awards to four entities working to develop wearable biosensors for monitoring indicators associated with heart failure, heart attacks, inflammation, and perimenopausal transitions. The agency plans a total commitment of $117.4 million over 4.5 years under the Delphi program.
Four Paths for Developing the Sensors
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) received the largest award, worth up to $37.9 million, to develop a clinical-grade wearable patch that continuously monitors indicators of heart failure. According to ARPA-H, the patch will draw its energy from the patient’s body heat and will use on-chip artificial intelligence designed for low power consumption.
Novelna, a California-based proteomics company, will receive up to $33.2 million to develop a patch that measures inflammation after a heart attack, with the aim of helping reduce hospital readmissions. The device will use the human body to transmit data, helping extend battery life.
New York University received up to $30.8 million to develop a patch that continuously monitors inflammation through microscopic probes placed under the skin. The design includes DNA-based sensors, along with energy harvesting from radio-frequency sources such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
The University of Washington received up to $7.5 million to develop an ultra-low-power patch that tracks changes associated with perimenopause. The team will use proteins to measure biomarkers in sweat, with the possibility of regenerating and reusing these proteins by modifying the local pH of the sensor, maintaining its sensitivity and reliability for longer periods.
What Does the Delphi Program Change?
ARPA-H launched the program in March with the aim of overcoming the limitations of wearable sensing platforms typically designed for a single application. The program’s vision is based on a “chiplet” approach that allows developers to integrate different biosensors and switch them according to the indicators to be measured, rather than building a separate platform for each use.
The practical importance of this approach is not limited to funding, but also involves an attempt to address persistent challenges in wearable medical devices: long-term operation, power consumption, data transmission, and expanding the range of measurable indicators. However, the source describes projects still under development and does not yet establish that any of the devices are ready for clinical or commercial use.
Validation Stages and Limitations
ARPA-H expects the teams to demonstrate full interoperability and comply with secure communication standards during the first 18 months. After 24 months, they are expected to provide in-body prototypes and identify additional sensors to expand the range of biomarkers. By month 54, the agency aims to complete clinical trials or human-factors studies.
These timelines mean that the projects’ medical value will remain tied to the results of subsequent testing, including measurement accuracy, sensor stability, and the safety of their use in humans. The announced awards are also potential maximum amounts, not necessarily funding paid entirely in advance.