REG - Aptamer Group PLC - R&D progress on new Optimer®+ platform

AptamerAnnouncement

27/02/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 5249E  Aptamer Group PLC  27 February 2024

27 February 2024

 

Aptamer Group plc

 

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

 

R&D progress on new Optimer(®)+ platform

-     New Optimer(®)+ platform delivers improved results compared to
standard binders

-     Animal studies show good tolerance for therapeutic use

 

Aptamer Group plc (AIM: APTA), the developer of novel Optimer(®) binders
to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, today announces an update
on the technical progress made with the new Optimer(®)+ programme.

 

Optimer(®)+ is a novel affinity ligand platform that can be considered
amongst the next generation of binding reagents, beyond our current
Optimer(®)-based offering. Since last year's fundraising activities, the
Company has focused on advancing the Optimer(®)+ programme as one of the key
strands of its new strategy. The Company is now pleased to report that
excellent progress has been made in developing the new platform.

 

Current data shows that Optimer(®)+ binders can be isolated against a range
of target types, including those with high therapeutic value. This means that
the platform is applicable throughout the life sciences industry, in several
settings, including the development of disease-modifying biopharmaceuticals;
radionucleotide and gene therapy delivery; and the targeting of infectious
disease.

 

The latest proof-of-concept results show that the Optimer(®)+ platform can
produce highly specific binders with significantly higher affinity than the
current technology platform. Development times for Optimer(®)+ are also
significantly faster than existing aptamer-based approaches.

 

Lab-based results have shown Optimer(®)+ binders appear stable in blood serum
and are not harmful to cells. Furthermore, preliminary experiments in mice
have shown Optimer(®)+ binders to be well tolerated demonstrating the basic
requirements for therapeutic applications.

 

Optimer(®)+ uses a modified oligonucleotide library that creates hybrid
Optimer(®)-peptide binders engineered with a scaffold structure that bridge
the gap between traditional aptamers and protein-based affinity ligands. The
Company's new platform combines the flexibility, manufacturing, and stability
benefits of its current technology with the functional diversity and binding
capability of a protein. This approach aligns the Optimer(®)+ platform with
high growth antibody alternatives such as Bicycles and DARPins.

 

Aptamer expects the new Optimer(®)+ platform to expand the capability of its
binders in all applications, especially in precision medicine. The technology
is fully protected with a portfolio of granted patents, ensuring Aptamer Group
retains exclusive rights for all uses of the new system.

 

Evaluation processes are ongoing within the Company and with external partners
to optimise the development and large-scale manufacturing protocols, with an
active marketing strategy to follow.

 

A pre-recorded webcast from Dr David Bunka, Chief Scientific Officer of
Aptamer Group, reviewing the Optimer(®)+ platform and the technical progress
to date, will be available on the Aptamer Group website from 10:00am (UCT) on
13 March, 2024, at:
https://aptamergroup.com/investors/reports-and-presentations/
(https://aptamergroup.com/investors/reports-and-presentations/) .

 

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Technical Officer of Aptamer Group, said: "Since we
received the proceeds of the September fundraise, the team has worked hard to
accelerate the development of Optimer(®)+ and to show the new platform's
capabilities. The development of this platform is integral to our mission to
stay at the forefront of binder technologies. Both the lab-based research and
the initial animal experiments suggest that Optimer(®)+ will be well placed
to deliver the next generation of binders to enable the targeted delivery of
precision medicines. This is an area where we are seeing increasing interest
due to the unmet needs across gene therapy and precision chemotherapy."

 

- ENDS -

 

For further information, please contact:

 

 

 Aptamer Group plc                                        +44 (0) 1904 217 404

 Steve Hull
 SPARK Advisory Partners Limited - Nominated Adviser      +44 (0) 20 3368 3550

 Andrew Emmott / Mark Brady / Adam Dawes
 Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited - Broker           +44 (0) 20 3657 0050

 James Pope / Andrew Thacker

 

About Aptamer Group plc

Aptamer Group 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.

Optimer(®) binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as
an antibody alternative. The global affinity ligand market is currently worth
over $170 billion.

Aptamer has successfully delivered projects for a range of global pharma
companies, diagnostic development companies, and research institutes, covering
multiple application areas with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing
licenses.

 

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