REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Liver fibrosis breakthrough with Optimer® platform

AptamerAnnouncement

30/06/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 8639O  Aptamer Group PLC  30 June 2025

 

30 June 2025

 

Aptamer Group plc

 

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

 

Significant advance in liver fibrosis treatment with Optimer® platform

Aptamer unveils novel biomarker for targeted liver fibrosis therapy

Optimer® breakthrough targets liver scarring cells, positioning Aptamer in
$20bn fibrosis market

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the leading developer of next-generation
synthetic binders delivering innovation to the life science industry, is
advancing its portfolio through a dual strategy of developing proprietary
licensable assets and providing fee-for-service work for global pharmaceutical
partners. Among its proprietary development projects, the liver fibrosis
program represents a key focus, leveraging the Company's innovative Optimer®
platform to address critical unmet medical needs.

 

Today, Aptamer announces a significant milestone in this programme, having
successfully identified and validated a novel molecular target for its
proprietary Optimer® delivery platform, advancing its potential to deliver
targeted gene therapy to the specific liver cells which drive scarring. This
breakthrough enhances the commercial attractiveness of the platform,
positioning Aptamer for strategic licensing discussions with global
pharmaceutical partners.

 

Liver scarring, known as fibrosis, affects millions worldwide and can progress
to severe conditions like cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer, with no
current treatments able to reverse the damage. This condition is caused by
specific liver cells, called hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which create
harmful scar tissue. With an estimated global market for fibrosis treatments
exceeding $20 billion by 2030, based on industry projections, Aptamer's
Optimer® platform addresses a critical unmet need.

 

The Optimer® acts like a 'magic bullet', targeting a protein in scarred
livers to deliver a gene therapy medicine, called siRNA, directly to HSCs.
This siRNA switches off signals that drive scarring, offering a potential new
way to reduce or reverse the condition.

 

Aptamer used cutting-edge scientific methods, including genetic analysis,
protein interaction studies, and cell imaging, to confirm that the Optimer®
targets this protein with high precision. In laboratory tests mimicking liver
damage, the Optimer®-siRNA system significantly reduced processes that mimic
scar tissue formation and slowed the harmful activity of HSCs, such as
excessive growth and movement that worsen scarring. These results demonstrate
the platform's potential to transform liver fibrosis treatment by delivering
gene therapy specifically to the cells causing the disease.

 

The Optimer® was developed using Aptamer's innovative approach, which
identifies targets unique to diseased cells, unlike traditional methods that
may overlook key disease markers. This method uncovered a specific protein
marker that enables precise targeting of HSCs, setting Aptamer's technology
apart as a powerful tool for precision medicine. The Optimer® platform's
compatibility with various RNA-based medicines makes it highly versatile,
supporting partnerships across liver fibrosis and other scarring-related
conditions.

 

Aptamer is now working towards a series of outsourced in vivo studies to
evaluate the Optimer® platform's performance in animal models, while engaging
in ongoing discussions with major pharmaceutical companies to conduct parallel
studies. These efforts aim to confirm the platform's efficacy and safety,
paving the way for human trials and strategic collaborations.

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer of Aptamer Group, commented:

 

"This milestone marks a major step forward in our mission to develop new
treatments for liver fibrosis. By identifying a novel target for delivering
gene therapy to the cells causing liver scarring, Aptamer has strengthened the
Optimer® platform's value for our pharmaceutical partners. The laboratory
results showing reduced scarring highlight the potential of this approach, and
our plans for outsourced animal studies, alongside ongoing talks with big
pharma, position us to accelerate development. This success underscores
Aptamer's leadership in targeted drug delivery, opening doors to a significant
market opportunity.

 

"The Optimer® platform showed high selectivity for scarred liver tissue in
lab tests, with no unwanted effects on healthy cells, and is designed to work
with a range of RNA therapeutics, enhancing its commercial potential. This
milestone positions Aptamer to capitalise on the growing demand for precision
therapies in the multi-billion-dollar fibrosis market."

 

- 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 / Jade Bayat  
 Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited - Broker                     +44 (0) 20 3657 0050 

 James Pope / Andrew Thacker  
 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 $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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Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements regarding Aptamer
Group's research, development plans, and commercial prospects, including the
potential of its Optimer® platform and future studies. These statements
involve risks and uncertainties, such as the outcomes of preclinical and
clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and market conditions. Actual results
may differ materially from those anticipated. Aptamer Group undertakes no
obligation to update these statements except as required by law.

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