REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Aptamer Group: Directorate Change

AptamerAnnouncement

10/05/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 8639Y  Aptamer Group PLC  10 May 2023

10 May 2023

 

Aptamer Group plc

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

 

Directorate Changes

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer(®) binders
to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces that Dr.
Arron Tolley has left his position as Chief Executive Officer and Board
Director, with immediate effect. He will leave his employment with the Group
after a period of garden leave.  As a consequence, the Chairman of the Board,
Dr. Ian Gilham, will assume the role of interim Executive Chairman, and
current Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Rob Quinn, will now also assume the role
of interim CEO. A search for a full-time CEO will begin immediately.

Ian Gilham is an experienced CEO and Chairman of life science companies. He is
Chairman of AIM company Genedrive plc and was Chairman, including for an
interim period, Executive Chairman, of Horizon Discovery, which was listed on
AIM, until its acquisition by Perkin Elmer for £296 million. Prior to that,
he was CEO of Main Market diagnostics company, Axis-Shield plc, which was
acquired for £230 million by Alere Inc.. Rob Quinn is an experienced life
sciences executive with highly relevant scientific experience working with
publicly listed biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, including as CFO
of Silence Therapeutics.

Dr. Ian Gilham, Executive Chairman of Aptamer Group, commented: "I'd like to
thank Arron for his achievements in building a company that is now providing
its leading aptamer solutions to 15 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in
the world. Alongside building the Optimer platform he has scaled the business
through significant operational and corporate milestones, most significantly
its AIM listing in December 2021. On behalf of the Board, I wish him well in
the future.

 

"The Board is now focused on appointing an appropriate successor who will be
able to lead Aptamer's next phase of development and build on the foundations
of the business to deliver shareholder value in the long term."

 

Dr. Rob Quinn, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
said: "I recognise the immense power of Aptamer Group's technology and the
impact it can have across the life sciences industry and I would like to thank
Arron for everything he has contributed to the Company. I look forward to
working closely with Ian, the wider management team and the Board as we look
to drive revenues, grow the business, and to deliver value for shareholders."

 

- ENDS -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Aptamer Group plc

Dr Rob Quinn
 
   +44 (0) 1904 217 404

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser

Andrew Emmott / Mark Brady / Adam
Dawes                                 +44 (0)
20 3368 3550

Liberum Capital Limited - Broker

Phil Walker / Richard Lindley / Ben Cryer / Cara
Murphy              +44 (0) 20 3100 2000

Consilium Strategic Communications

Matthew Neal / Chris Welsh / Lucy Featherstone
                    +44 (0) 20 3709 5700

aptamergroup@consilium-comms.com (mailto:aptamergroup@consilium-comms.com)

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

About Aptamer Group plc

Aptamer (http://www.aptamergroup.com/) 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 through the use of its proprietary Optimer
platform.

Optimer binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as an
antibody alternative. The global affinity ligand market is currently worth
over $170 billion. Optimer binders are engineered to address many of the
issues found with alternative affinity molecules, such as antibodies, and
offer new, innovative solutions to bioprocessing, diagnostic and
pharmaceutical scientists.

Aptamer has successfully delivered projects for global pharma companies,
diagnostic development companies, and research institutes covering a range of
targets and applications with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing
licenses. Through the unique Optimer technology and processes, scientists and
collaborators can make faster, more informed decisions that support discovery
and development across the Life Sciences.

 

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