REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Aptamer and Kairos Biotech partner for Optimer+

AptamerAnnouncement

18/04/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 0493L  Aptamer Group PLC  18 April 2024

     18 April 2024

 

Aptamer Group plc

("Aptamer", the "Company" or the "Group")

Aptamer and Kairos Biotech partner for Optimer+ transplant rejection therapies

-       Partnership will use the new Optimer+ platform

-       Optimer+ EM molecules to be developed to help prevent transplant
rejection

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer(®) binders to
enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces the
progression of a partnership with Kairos Biotech, an early-stage company
developing novel therapeutic solutions for transplant rejection.

 

As part of this agreement, Kairos Biotech will leverage Aptamer's new
Optimer(®)+ affinity ligand platform in development of their pipeline of 'EM'
molecules that specifically target pathways involved in transplant rejection.
The approach will improve transplant access for difficult to transplant
patients and improve the chances of transplant success.  Additionally, EM
molecules can be used for transplant monitoring and improving pre- and
post-transplant diagnostics. These novel treatments are targeting an £800
million transplant diagnostic sector and a potential £2 billion transplant
immunotherapy market.

 

Success in the proof-of-concept project will allow expansion of the
collaboration to deliver potentially over a hundred Optimer(®)+ molecules
enabling targeting a greater variety of transplant rejection molecules. There
is additional scope for the developed Optimer(®)+ binders to be used as
diagnostic reagents to profile a patient's immune system before treating them
with the tailored therapy.

 

Kairos Biotech is one of the first partners to undertake fee-for-service
projects using Aptamer's cutting-edge Optimer(®)+ platform. Adopting this
innovative technology to explore potential therapeutic solutions provides
Kairos Biotech with access to a new therapeutic modality that can deliver the
high affinity and high specificity binders required to meet the complex needs
of such large-scale, multi-target therapeutic solutions.

 

Optimer(®)+ uses a modified oligonucleotide library to create
hybrid DNA-peptide binders engineered with a scaffold structure for
stability, ease of manufacturing and engineering. The new binders bridge the
gap between traditional aptamers and protein-based affinity ligands, combining
the flexibility, manufacturing, and stability benefits of its current
technology with the functional diversity and binding capability of a
protein.

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Technical Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "We're
delighted to bring our proprietary Optimer®+ platform to support Kairos
Biotech in this game-changing theranostic application. Initial animal studies
have shown the Optimer(®)+ binders to be well tolerated for therapeutic
approaches, and the exquisite specificity of these binders is ideally suited
to such a large-scale diagnostic and therapeutic project. The team at Kairos
has an exciting scientific approach to immunosuppression that could offer an
improved outlook for transplant patients, and we look forward to working with
them to advance this using Optimer(®)+."

Dr Mike Bunce, Chief Executive Officer at Kairos Biotech Ltd, said: "We are
excited to work with Aptamer Group combining their Optimer®+ platform with
our novel bioengineering approaches in transplant diagnostics and targeted
immunosuppression. The Optimer®+ platform is expected to deliver real
advantages in developing our pipeline of immune targeted molecules which in
turn will help improve transplant success in the future.

 

- ENDS -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 

 Aptamer Group plc                                            +44 (0) 1904 217 404

 Steve Hull
 Kairos Biotech Ltd                                           +44 (0) 7549823564

 Mike Bunce
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser          +44 (0) 20 3368 3550

 Andrew Emmott / Adam Dawes
 Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited - Broker               +44 (0) 20 3657 0050

 James Pope / Andrew Thacker

 

About Aptamer Group plc

Aptamer Group develops custom affinity binders through its proprietary
Optimer(®) platform to enable new approaches in therapeutics, diagnostics,
and research applications. The Company strives to deliver transformational
solutions that meet the needs of life science researchers and developers.

Optimer binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as an
antibody alternative. The global affinity ligand market is currently worth
over $170 billion.

Aptamer has successfully delivered projects for a range of global pharma
companies, diagnostic development companies, and research institutes, covering
multiple application areas with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing
licenses.

 

About Kairos Biotech Ltd

 

Kairos Biotech is a North Wales early-stage company developing a pipeline of
small molecules for next generation immunotherapy and diagnostics.   The
company aims to improve transplant options and help remove barriers to
transplantation with novel diagnostic and immunotherapy applications.

Kairos Biotech is founded and funded by transplant diagnostics pioneers with a
track record of developing transplant diagnostics over the last thirty years.
EchiumBio Holding B.V., a private holding of Wietse Mulder PhD is the major
source of funding for Kairos Biotech.

 

 

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