REG - Aptamer Group PLC - Optimer-Fc launched for immunohistochemistry

AptamerAnnouncement

20/03/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 4464T  Aptamer Group PLC  20 March 2023

20 March 2023

 

Aptamer Group plc

("Aptamer", or " the Group")

 

Aptamer launches Optimer(®)-Fc as a new reagent solution for
immunohistochemistry

 

-       Existing pipeline of IHC work including potential trials with
Optimer(®)-Fc with two top 10 pharma companies

-       Aptamer is currently working with one of the top three IHC
company to validate the Optimer-Fc platform

-       IHC Optimer binders are being developed for several other pharma
and biotech customers

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer(®) binders
to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, announces that it has
developed a new reagent, Optimer®-Fc, for use in automated
immunohistochemistry (IHC) workflows.

Aptamer is working with one of the top three companies within the IHC market
(that jointly command over 70% of the market) to validate the performance of
Optimer-Fc within their automated IHC platform and is in current negotiations
with two top 10 pharmaceutical companies seeking to trial Optimer-Fc. Aptamer
is also currently working with four of the top ten pharma companies and
additional biotech partners to develop Optimer binders for IHC - a deep
pipeline of potential future products to advance research and diagnostics for
the benefits of life science.

IHC remains the gold standard test for clinical diagnostics (including
cancer), and its use is increasing with the advent of personalised medicine
approaches. The IHC market was valued at $2.3BN in 2021, with 45.5% accounted
for by the antibody segment. However, the imminent expiry of current patents
for IHC antibodies is a significant challenge facing the major players in this
field, with an expected decrease in revenue and profitability. Innovative
products, such as Optimer-Fc, are actively being sought to overcome these
issues.

Optimer-Fc tools consist of an Optimer binder conjugated to the Fc domain of
an antibody. The Company has successfully demonstrated the functional
integration of different Optimer binders into this conjugate format. This
allows the broad target range of Optimer tools to be applied in IHC
applications. IHC is a staining process predominantly done on fresh or frozen
clinical tissue samples removed during a biopsy. IHC is used to detect if
cells have cancer or other disease markers. The Optimer-Fc is an antibody
alternative for use within existing workflows replacing the primary,
detecting, antibody. Capitalising on the highly selective and tuneable nature
of Optimer binders, this development will enable life scientists to pursue
novel and existing disease biomarkers and offer increased accuracy and
selectivity in detection, with the generation of a suite of new reagents to
enable improved research, diagnostics, and forensics.

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Our new Optimer-Fc
meets an urgent need for the IHC market to develop new patentable reagents.
Over the past several months, we have innovated to support this market need,
and developed and validated our new platform to develop these reagents. We
have already seen keen interest from major companies within the IHC space and
top pharma. This demonstrates the need and applicability of aptamers for such
tools. We are now actively working with these partners to supply and support
them in the use of Optimer-Fc. Optimer-Fc offers the ability to pursue new
targets, that have proven previously intractable with antibodies, and improve
assay selectivity. We anticipate this will open up further opportunities for
emerging biomarkers in research and diagnostics, which could further increase
the potential of our new IHC tools."

 

- ENDS -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Aptamer Group plc

Dr Arron Tolley
                                               +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

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)

 

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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