REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Aptamer signs licensing agreement with Alphazyme

AptamerAnnouncement

23/12/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 6368M  Aptamer Group PLC  23 December 2025

 

23 December 2025

 

Aptamer Group plc

 

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

 

Aptamer signs licensing agreement with Alphazyme

Non-exclusive OEM license for enzyme-modulating Optimer

Royalty payments on product sales plus milestone and manufacturing revenues

Second licensing deal demonstrates commercial validation of Optimer® platform

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of next-generation synthetic
binders for the life sciences industry, and Alphazyme LLC (Alphazyme), a
Maravai LifeSciences (NASDAQ: MRVI) company and global provider of specialty
enzymes used in the life sciences sector, have entered into a licensing
agreement for a developed Optimer® for use in hot-start PCR applications.

 

This binder acts as a precise molecular control mechanism in hot-start DNA
amplification, a widely used laboratory technique in which the key enzyme is
kept inactive at lower temperatures and only switches on when heated. This
prevents unwanted DNA copying early in the process, leading to much more
accurate and reliable results in applications such as genetic testing,
diagnostic assays, and library preparation for next-generation sequencing
(NGS), the high-throughput technology that allows rapid and cost-effective
analysis of millions of DNA fragments in parallel.

 

Agreement advances product portfolio for both companies

Under the terms of the agreement, Aptamer grants Alphazyme a non-exclusive
licence for use of an enzyme-modulating Optimer® in hot-start PCR and
next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications within Alphazyme's own products
and services. The agreement provides worldwide rights to Alphazyme and
includes royalty payments on sales of products, milestone payments, and a
supply agreement for the manufacturing of the Optimer®. Aptamer will
manufacture the Optimer® for Alphazyme, providing quality assurance and
supply chain security whilst generating additional manufacturing revenue.

 

Rapid progression from development to licence

Aptamer and Alphazyme originally signed a development agreement for the
hot-start PCR Optimer® in June 2024, with delivery of the final product in
December 2024. Alphazyme demonstrated successful performance in its laboratory
tests, showing temperature-sensitive control of the enzyme's exonuclease and
polymerase activities. The Optimer® achieves what typically requires two
antibodies, offering performance enhancement and cost advantages.

 

Following this success, a second Optimer® development programme for enzyme
modulation has been initiated with Alphazyme to broaden the customer's product
portfolio. This project has recently completed the development phase, with
candidate molecules having been delivered to Alphazyme for internal testing
with positive results in the customer's hands.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "We are
delighted to announce the signing of this licensing agreement with Alphazyme.
This second enzyme modulation licensing agreement validates both the technical
performance and commercial appeal of Optimer® technology in the molecular
biology market. One of the standout features is the ability of our product to
replace two antibodies with a single product, offering significant performance
and manufacturing advantages, which will drive further licensing opportunities
on successful technical validation of the second project.

 

"We look forward to building on the relationship with Alphazyme through our
ongoing development programmes, which will provide the opportunity for further
licensing of our Optimer® technology."

 

- Ends - 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 Aptamer Group plc                                               +44 (0) 1904 217 404 

 Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser             +44 (0) 20 3368 3550 

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

 Andrew Thacker / Guy McDougall
 Northstar Communications Limited - Investor Relations           +44 (0) 113 730 3896

 Sarah Hollins

 

About Aptamer Group

 

Aptamer Group is a leading developer of next-generation synthetic binders
delivering innovation to the life sciences industry. The Group develops
Optimer® binders, advanced molecules that work like antibodies by attaching
to specific targets in the body. These binders are used in medicine,
diagnostic tests, and research tools, offering benefits like high stability,
reliable performance, and lower costs compared to traditional antibodies.

 

Aptamer operates a fee-for-service business in the US$210 billion market for
antibody alternatives, working with all top 10 global pharmaceutical
companies. It is also building valuable Optimer® assets with partners, aiming
for future licensing revenue.

 

Founded in 2008, the Group listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market in
December 2021 and is headquartered in York, UK.

 

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(https://aptamergroup.com/investors/investor-news-email-alerts/)

 

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