ARPA-H launches program to develop a tear-based biomarker measurement platform 

Program aims to diagnosis and treat disease through an individual’s tears 

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), today announced a new funding opportunity through the Ocular Laboratory for Analysis of Biomarkers (OCULAB) program. OCULAB seeks to develop a tear-based biomarker measurement system that can be inserted into the tear duct for continuous health monitoring and provide ultra-precise medication dosing for personalized treatment via a closed-loop delivery system.  

Most lab tests use blood samples to measure biomarkers to detect disease. This approach has limitations, as blood draws only capture biomarker levels at one point in time and can provide an incomplete picture of health. Tears offer advantages over blood; they are always accessible, can measure a variety of biomarkers, and tear testing is non-invasive. However, there are no existing technologies that continuously sample tears to diagnose or treat disease, and no commercially available smart medication delivery systems for ophthalmic use. 

“What if your eyes were a window to your health? The OCULAB platform has the potential to make continuous monitoring a reality for both ocular and systemic diseases, allowing for more precise interventions in ophthalmological, hormone, inflammatory, and other disorders,” said ARPA-H Director Renee Wegrzyn, Ph.D.  

The OCULAB platform will first tackle dry eye disease (DED), an underdiagnosed condition affecting over 20 million Americans, the majority of whom are post-menopausal women. This chronic condition results in eye pain and vision difficulty. The OCULAB platform intends to revolutionize how dry eye, and other ocular, neurologic, and other systemic diseases, are diagnosed, monitored, and treated.  

The program will build on existing advancements in continuous monitoring biosensor technologies, sustained-release ocular drug devices, and AI algorithms for therapeutic delivery. If successful, the OCULAB platform would be the first closed-loop system available to administer treatment at the eye as a real-time response to changes in tear biomarkers.  

“OCULAB’s goal is to paint a fuller picture of a person’s health by monitoring their tears,” says ARPA-H OCULAB Program Manager Calvin Roberts, M.D. “Our platform will enable diagnosing, monitoring, and treating conditions like dry eye disease to be more efficient and less invasive for individuals. At the same time, OCULAB will be collecting, integrating and analyzing external biomarker data from the individual’s own wearable devices such as smart watches and rings.” 

OCULAB’s forthcoming Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) has two technical areas: development of a continuous monitoring nanosensor for the tear duct and development of closed-loop therapeutic dosing device. Both will require expertise in bioengineering, biosensing nanotechnology, human biology, ophthalmology, artificial intelligence, and data security among academic institutions, clinical researchers, and small and large industry. Proposals are expected to involve diverse teams with the expertise needed to collaboratively bring closed-loop, continuous biomarker detection and therapeutic delivery to reality. 

Multiple awards under this ISO are anticipated. Resources available will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds. Learn more about OCULAB on its program page, including information about the solicitation, Proposers’ Day registration, and how to state interest to form an applicant team.