REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Aptamer and Timser Partnership

AptamerAnnouncement

22/05/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 4368P  Aptamer Group PLC  22 May 2024

     22 May 2024

 

Aptamer Group plc

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

Aptamer and Timser partner to deliver world's first blood test for cervical
cancer

Agreement for up to £465,000 signed for Optimer development

Optimer binders will be developed for use in a cervical cancer blood test

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer(®) binders to
enable innovation in the life sciences industry, has signed an agreement with
Timser Group, a pharmaceutical company focused on women's health, with a deal
value of up to £465,000.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Aptamer Group will develop Optimer binders
to Timser's patented cervical cancer biomarker panel - a three-protein
signature that can be used to detect cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.
The Optimers will power the world's first blood test for cervical cancer,
preventing invasive smear tests and delivering earlier, more sensitive
diagnostics.

 

Pairs of Optimer binders will be developed to each of the three biomarker
proteins that form the unique cervical cancer signature. Timser will receive a
licence for the use of the Optimers in its specific test combination, which is
patented in 21 countries, including the USA.

 

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer type in women worldwide.
Present screening methods rely on invasive and relatively low sensitivity
Papanicolaou (PAP) smear tests. The Optimer enabled Timser's diagnostic will
allow earlier detection at the precancerous lesion stage, which is associated
with increased survival. Use of a blood-based test over traditional PAP smears
will offer the potential for increased detection rates by improving uptake due
to the less invasive testing method.

 

As Timser expands its diagnostic tests into diverse markets, including
low-income countries, the Optimer binders offer advantages to support
continued supply and quality. With superior shelf-life and enhanced
temperature stability compared to antibodies, Optimer binders facilitate
global test distribution without compromising quality or performance. Previous
attempts by Timser to develop antibodies to support the test have failed due
to issues with antibody batch variability and supply chains. Unlike
antibodies, Optimer binders are chemically manufactured, giving consistent
quality, with the potential to use multiple manufacturers both locally and
globally to prevent supply chain issues.

 

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Technical Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "We are
delighted to partner with Timser Group to facilitate their ground-breaking
cancer diagnostic with Optimer binders. This deal demonstrates the increasing
recognition of the Optimer platform to deliver high quality affinity ligands.
We believe that implementing Optimer technology will allow our partners to
overcome previous issues experienced with antibody variability and supply
chains, and we look forward to delivering much-needed improvements to cervical
cancer tests."

Mercedes Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of TIMSER Group: "We are equally
excited about this collaboration with Aptamer Group. The potential of Optimer
binders to enhance the accuracy and reliability of our cancer diagnostics
tests is truly promising. By integrating this advanced technology, we are
confident in our ability to overcome the limitations of traditional antibodies
and improve the outcomes for patients undergoing cervical cancer screening. We
look forward to a successful partnership and to witnessing the impact that
this new technology will have for women across the globe."

 

 

 

- ENDS -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 

 Aptamer Group plc                                            +44 (0) 1904 217 404

 Steve Hull
 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 TIMSER GROUP

Timser Group is a pioneering organization dedicated to the advancement of
women's healthcare through innovative scientific solutions. The company
focuses on developing diagnostic tests and treatments that address critical
health issues, particularly those affecting women. Timser Group operates
specialized laboratories, including clinical and research labs, which are
instrumental in their groundbreaking work on cervical cancer diagnostics and
other health conditions.

TIMSER Group holds several patents in over 20 countries that are the product
of extensive research and development efforts in various fields, particularly
in women's healthcare and pharmaceutical innovations.

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