Industry Updates

Review examines volumetric microsampling for patient-centric therapeutic drug monitoring

THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING & MICROSAMPLING | SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

A scoping review published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology evaluated the use of volumetric microsampling for patient-centric therapeutic drug monitoring across 67 patient-cohort studies. The review found applications across multiple clinical specialties and reported high patient preference where assessed, while emphasizing the need for validation specific to the analyte, matrix, device, and clinical application.

Source: The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Real-world evaluation of capillary microsampling for drug monitoring of anti-seizure medications

THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING & MICROSAMPLING | SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

A study published in Epilepsia evaluated capillary microsampling for therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-seizure medications using volumetric absorptive microsampling and quantitative dried blood spot devices. The study also evaluated at-home self-collection and reported that patients considered self-collection feasible, easy to perform and well tolerated.

Source: Epilepsia

Review examines the path toward point-of-care molecular diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases

DECENTRALIZED DIAGNOSTICS | AUGUST 31, 2026

A review published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry analyzed 39 studies of point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests for neglected tropical diseases. Recurring areas included simplified extraction, integrated workflows, reduced cold-chain dependence and electricity-independent workflows, while the authors also identified minimally invasive sampling and sample preparation as important considerations for field-deployable tests.

Source: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Capillary point-of-care glucose testing evaluated against venous sampling for gestational diabetes

CAPILLARY SAMPLING & DECENTRALIZED DIAGNOSTICS | AUGUST 28, 2026

A study published in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth compared point-of-care glucose testing using capillary blood with venous blood sampling for gestational diabetes screening. The study evaluated the diagnostic performance of capillary point-of-care testing during oral glucose tolerance testing.

Source: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Dried blood spots evaluated for HBV DNA quantification and HBeAg detection

INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MICROSAMPLING | AUGUST 28, 2026

A study published in Virology Journal evaluated fingerstick-collected dried blood spots for HBV DNA quantification and HBeAg detection. HBV DNA was detected in all DBS samples with plasma levels above the WHO-recommended decision threshold, and no clinically relevant change was observed in DBS stored at room temperature for up to 12 weeks.

Source: Virology Journal

HCV whole-genome sequencing evaluated using dried blood spots

INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MICROSAMPLING | AUGUST 2026

A study in the Journal of Clinical Virology evaluated whole-genome sequencing of hepatitis C virus from dried blood spots. The researchers reported a 95% sequencing success rate for HCV RNA-positive DBS samples and 100% concordance for genotype and resistance calls.

Source: Journal of Clinical Virology

New Clinical Chemistry article examines discordance between HbA1c and glucose management indicator

HBA1C & LABORATORY MEDICINE | AUGUST 26, 2026

A new article in Clinical Chemistry examines discordance between laboratory-measured HbA1c and the continuous glucose monitoring-derived glucose management indicator (GMI). The article discusses longitudinal data showing that HbA1c/GMI discordance can change over time in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

Source: Clinical Chemistry

Dried blood spots evaluated for N-glycan profiling in pre-diabetes and diabetes

DIABETES & MICROSAMPLING | PREPRINT | AUGUST 25, 2026

A new bioRxiv preprint evaluates N-glycan profiling from dried blood spots and compares DBS-derived profiles with plasma. The study also examined N-glycan profiles in pre-diabetic and diabetic subjects and reported non-significant trends in several glycosylation characteristics.

Source: bioRxiv

FDA clears single-biomarker pTau217 blood test for Alzheimer’s disease assessment

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & BLOOD-BASED DIAGNOSTICS | AUGUST 24, 2026

The U.S. FDA has cleared Roche’s Elecsys Phospho-Tau (217P) Plasma blood test to aid in identifying amyloid pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease in individuals aged 55 and older with signs, symptoms or complaints of cognitive decline. The assay provides positive, intermediate and negative result categories and uses the same validated clinical cutoffs across primary and specialty care settings.

Source: Roche Diagnostics

Enzymatic HbA1c assay compared with HPLC in study of more than 1,000 blood samples

HBA1C & LABORATORY MEDICINE | AUGUST 20, 2026

A study published in Scientific Reports compared HbA1c measurements obtained using an enzymatic assay and high-performance liquid chromatography in blood samples from 1,014 participants. The study found a high overall correlation between the two methods, while reporting lower diagnostic accuracy for the enzymatic assay in the pre-diabetic and diabetic HbA1c ranges.

Source: Scientific Reports

Quanterix reports Q2 2026 results and continued focus on biomarker diagnostics

BIOMARKERS & DIAGNOSTICS | AUGUST 10, 2026

Quanterix has reported its second-quarter 2026 results, with revenue of $32.9 million. The company continues to focus on its precision biomarker platforms and diagnostics business, while accelerating initiatives aimed at strengthening commercial performance.

Source: Qaunterix

At-home dried blood spot collection evaluated for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis screening

INFECTIOUS DISEASES & REMOTE SAMPLING | AUGUST 6, 2026

A study published in Sexual Health evaluated at-home self-collected dried blood spots for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis screening. Participants received DBS kits by mail and returned their samples for testing.

Source: Sexual Health

Thermostable microneedle patch developed for minimally invasive kidney biomarker monitoring

REMOTE MONITORING & BIOMARKERS | AUGUST 5, 2026

A study published in Advanced Materials describes a microneedle patch designed to sample dermal interstitial fluid and detect NGAL, a biomarker of acute kidney injury. The researchers report that the metal-organic framework coating preserved the sensing antibodies for up to four weeks at 50°C, and describe the approach as a potential platform for minimally invasive at-home or remote health monitoring without cold-chain requirements.

Source: Advanced Materials

Dried plasma spots evaluated for remote-compatible neurological biomarker assessment

BIOMARKERS & REMOTE SAMPLING | JULY 28, 2026

Researchers evaluated dried plasma spot samples for the measurement of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a blood-based neurological biomarker. The study found that GFAP measurements from dried plasma spots retained meaningful disease-associated information and describes the approach as potentially compatible with future minimally invasive or remote sampling applications.

Source: Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology

Microsampling evaluated for remote C-peptide measurement in clinical research

REMOTE SAMPLING & BIOMARKERS | JULY 24, 2026

A study published in Bioanalysis evaluated a microsampling device for C-peptide measurement compared with conventional venous blood collection. The researchers reported comparable C-peptide measurements and investigated sample stability, handling and participant acceptability, including samples collected remotely.

Source: Bioanalysis

Eco-conscious scalable sensors developed for non-contact microfluidic monitoring

MICROFLUIDICS & DIAGNOSTIC TECHNOLOGY | JULY 16, 2026

A study published in Materials & Design describes screen-printed capacitive sensors developed for non-contact monitoring of fluids in microfluidic channels. The sensors were demonstrated for monitoring fluid movement, air bubbles, dilution and reagent rehydration, with the study also evaluating scalable manufacturing and more sustainable materials.

Source: Materials & Design

Study examines the impact of shipping conditions on at-home microsampling

MICROSAMPLING & PROTEOMICS | JULY 14, 2026

A study published in the Journal of Proteome Research investigated how shipping conditions can affect protein measurements from dried blood samples collected with Capitainer. The researchers evaluated samples under different simulated shipping environments and found that elevated temperatures can affect protein identification and quantification, highlighting the importance of shipping conditions in decentralized microsampling workflows.

Source: Journal of Proteome Research