Color-Changing Labels Poised to Reduce Vaccine Waste Globally
A novel, low-cost temperature indicator developed by researchers at the university of surrey could dramatically reduce the estimated 50% of vaccines lost annually to spoilage, notably in low- and middle-income countries. the innovation, commercialized through partnerships with MM PACKAGING GmbH and Advanced Material Progress Ltd (AMD), offers a reliable way to monitor vaccine exposure to damaging heat.
Vaccines currently prevent up to three million deaths worldwide each year, but maintaining their efficacy requires a consistently unbroken cold chain – a temperature-controlled supply chain. According to data from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, thermal exposure and disruptions to this cold chain lead to an unacceptable level of waste. Existing vaccine vial monitors (VVMs) indicate temperature exposure,but until now,the World Health Association (WHO) relied on a single global solution. This new technology provides a crucial choice.
Why was this technology developed? Researchers aimed to address the notable problem of vaccine spoilage caused by breaks in the cold chain, particularly in regions with limited resources. The existing VVMs were insufficient, prompting the need for a more reliable and scalable solution.
“Seeing a concept born in our lab now on it’s way to transforming vaccine safety worldwide is incredibly rewarding,” stated the lead inventor of the technology, a senior scientist at AMD and lecturer at the University of Surrey. “This journey has shown how university research can cross the so-called ‘valley of death’ – the challenging stage between discovery and commercialisation – and make a genuine global difference. Our low-cost, scalable approach will help ensure more vaccines reach those who need them most – safely and effectively.”
Who is involved? The key players are researchers at the University of Surrey, led by a senior scientist at AMD, along with commercial partners MM PACKAGING GmbH and AMD Ltd. Funding also came from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The patented innovation,now branded as TempSight® Time Temperature Indicator,was brought to fruition through the collaborative efforts of senior research fellows,Dr. Thomas Waters and Dr. Joe Hall, alongside AMD Ltd. MM Packaging, a global leader in pharmaceutical packaging, has licensed the technology for large-scale production, representing a significant step toward widespread implementation.
AMD has invested over £2 million in photonic crystal research spearheaded by the lead scientist, with additional funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research council (EPSRC). Recognizing the impact of this work, UKRI awarded the scientist its Innovation Prize in 2024, along with a further £0.9 million grant to accelerate the commercialization of this and other photonic sensors.
“At AMD, we are proud to have funded and driven the development and commercialisation of this breakthrough photonic crystal technology with both academic and commercial partners,” said a company representative. “Although vaccine safety has been the key challenge that we have addressed, there are multiple parts of the supply chain where temperature exposure is critical.”
What is the technology? TempSight® is a low-cost, scalable time-temperature indicator utilizing photonic crystal technology.It changes color to visually indicate if a vaccine has been exposed to damaging heat, providing a clear signal of potential spoilage.
The new VVMs are designed to meet stringent WHO requirements and are currently undergoing rigorous testing by the organization. How did it end (so far)? the technology is currently in the final stages of testing by the WHO. Triumphant completion of this testing is essential before the labels can be deployed in international immunization programs. The research team at surrey is already exploring expanded applications for the technology, including monitoring temperature
