REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Licensing agreement with Twist Bioscience

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RNS Number : 7785L  Aptamer Group PLC  16 December 2025

 

16 December 2025

Aptamer Group plc

 

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

 

Aptamer signs licensing agreement with Twist Bioscience

Non-exclusive license for Optimer® binder targeting the next-generation
sequencing market

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of next-generation synthetic
binders for the life sciences industry, is pleased to announce a first
licensing agreement with Twist Bioscience, a leading synthetic biology and
genomics company.

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Aptamer has granted Twist Bioscience a
non-exclusive license for use of a proprietary enzyme-modulating Optimer®
binder in both existing and future hot-start PCR, a highly precise version of
the standard DNA copying process, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)
products.

 

NGS represents a rapidly expanding market, driven by increasing applications
across healthcare, agriculture, and research. The NGS market is expected to
reach US$23.6bn by 2029, with a CAGR of 13.2% (1). Twist Bioscience is a
market leader in synthetic DNA and has established a strong position in NGS
library preparation, making it an ideal partner for commercialising Aptamer's
binder technology in this high-growth sector.

 

This Optimer® development project, completed in partnership with Twist
Bioscience, was signed, delivered, and validated. The resulting
enzyme-modulating Optimers provide precise, temperature-dependent control for
both research and assays. In hot-start PCR applications, the Optimer® binder
demonstrates robust performance, eliminating the need for two separate
antibody reagents typically required in alternative methods.

 

Under the agreement, Aptamer will supply the Optimer® binder to Twist
Bioscience. The partnership allows Aptamer to maximise value from its
intellectual property and directly participate in the market success of
products incorporating its Optimer® technology. Aptamer establishes long-term
partnerships built on shared incentives and collaborative growth, ensuring
sustained value creation from its innovative biotechnology assets.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented: "This
licensing agreement with Twist Bioscience represents a significant step
forward in Aptamer's strategy to build a licensing-led revenue model. It
validates the commercial potential of our binders in the NGS market and
provides a structure that combines upfront payments with ongoing royalties,
demonstrating how our platform can deliver sustainable and recurring income
streams.

 

"By directly supplying Twist Bioscience with Optimer® reagents, we can ensure
the high quality and performance standards while embedding our technology into
their NGS portfolio. Twist Bioscience is recognised globally as a leader in
synthetic DNA and sequencing tools, and its scale and established customer
base provide an excellent route to market for our binders. With the NGS sector
showing continued growth, this partnership positions Aptamer to participate in
that growth alongside a proven market leader. We look forward to supporting
Twist Bioscience in expanding its sequencing solutions and to building further
licensing opportunities across our technology base."

 

1.
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/next-generation-sequencing-ngs-technologies-market-546.html
(https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/next-generation-sequencing-ngs-technologies-market-546.html)

 

- 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.

 

To register for news alerts by email go to
https://aptamergroup.com/investors/investor-news-email-alerts/
(https://aptamergroup.com/investors/investor-news-email-alerts/)

 

About Twist Bioscience

https://www.twistbioscience.com (https://www.twistbioscience.com)

 

 

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